{"id":"victims-of-crime-rights-and-services-act-2006","name":"Victims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006","slug":"victims-of-crime-rights-and-services-act-2006","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":30707,"registerId":"nt-victims-of-crime-rights-and-services-act-2006-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Victims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nVICTIMS OF CRIME RIGHTS AND SERVICES ACT 2006\nAs in force at 7 June 2025\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary matters\n1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\n3 Objects ............................................................................................ 1\n4 Definitions ........................................................................................ 2\nPart 2 Crime Victims Services Unit\n5 Establishment of CVSU ................................................................... 3\n6 Director ............................................................................................ 3\n7 CVSU officers .................................................................................. 4\n8 Functions of CVSU .......................................................................... 4\n9 Annual report ................................................................................... 5\nPart 3 Crime Victims Advisory Committee\n10 Establishment and constitution of Advisory Committee ................... 5\n11 Term of appointment ....................................................................... 6\n12 Resignation and removal of member ............................................... 6\n13 Holding meetings ............................................................................. 7\n14 Procedure at meetings .................................................................... 7\n15 Defect or vacancy etc. does not invalidate decision ........................ 8\n16 Functions and powers of Advisory Committee................................. 8\nPart 4 Victims register\n17 Application of Part ........................................................................... 8\n18 Relevant offence.............................................................................. 9\n19 Eligibility to be registered ................................................................. 9\n20 Application for person to be entered on register ............................ 10\n21 Decision and notice about entry on register................................... 10\n22 Information to be given to registered persons................................ 11\n23 Information to be given about consideration of parole ................... 14\n24 Registered person may make submission to Parole Board ........... 14\n25 Appropriate authority to inform CVSU ........................................... 14\n26 When information not to be given to registered person ................. 15\n27 Obligations of registered person .................................................... 15\n28 Removal from register ................................................................... 15\n29 Non-disclosure of confidential information ..................................... 15\n\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 ii\nPart 5 Miscellaneous matters\n30 Charter........................................................................................... 16\n31 Guidelines...................................................................................... 16\n32 Protection from liability .................................................................. 16\n33 Delegations.................................................................................... 16\n34 Regulations.................................................................................... 17\nPart 6 Repeal and transitional matters for Victims\nof Crime Rights and Services Act 2006\n35 Definition........................................................................................ 17\n36 Repeal ........................................................................................... 17\n37 Continuation of appointment of members ...................................... 17\n38 Continuation of approved organisation .......................................... 17\nENDNOTES\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 7 June 2025\n____________________\nVICTIMS OF CRIME RIGHTS AND SERVICES ACT 2006\nAn Act to establish bodies to promote the rights of victims of criminal\noffences and provide services to those victims, and for related matters\nPart 1 Preliminary matters\n1 Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Victims of Crime Rights and Services\nAct 2006.\n2 Commencement\nThis Act comes into operation on the date, or respective dates,\nfixed by the Administrator by notice in the Gazette.\n3 Objects\nThe objects of this Act are:\n(a) to establish the Crime Victims Services Unit to promote the\nrights of victims, administer schemes for providing counselling\nand financial assistance to victims, establish and operate the\nVictims Register and assist victims generally; and\n(b) to establish the Crime Victims Advisory Committee to advise\nthe Minister about the interests and rights of victims and the\nservices provided to victims; and\n(c) to enable registered victims of violent criminal offences or\nserious sex offences, and people concerned with particular\ncriminal offences, to be given specified information relating to\nthe offenders who committed the offences; and\n(d) to enable the Minister to issue a Charter of Victims Rights for\nthe protection and promotion of the rights of victims and issue\nguidelines to assist the administration of this Act.\n\nPart 1 Preliminary matters\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 2\n4 Definitions\nIn this Act:\nAdvisory Committee means the Crime Victims Advisory\nCommittee established by section 10.\nappropriate authority, in relation to a relevant offender, means:\n(a) if the relevant offender is a youth (as defined in section 6 of\nthe Youth Justice Act 2005) and is sentenced to a term of\ndetention – the CEO (Youth Justice); or\n(b) otherwise – the Commissioner of Correctional Services.\napproved organisation means an organisation approved under\nsection 10(4).\nCEO (Youth Justice) means the Chief Executive Officer (as\ndefined in section 19 of the Public Sector Employment and\nManagement Act 1993) of the Agency responsible for youth justice.\nchairperson means the chairperson of the Advisory Committee\nappointed under section 10(2)(a).\ncharter means the Charter of Victims Rights issued under\nsection 30.\nchild means a person who is less than 18 years of age.\ncounselling scheme means the Victims Counselling Scheme\nestablished by the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2006.\ncustodial correctional facility, see section 11(1)(a) of the\nCorrectional Services Act 2014.\nCVSU means the Crime Victims Services Unit established by\nsection 5.\nCVSU officer means a person mentioned in section 7(1).\ndetention centre, see section 5(1) of the Youth Justice Act 2005.\nDirector means the person holding or occupying the office of\nDirector of the CVSU mentioned in section 6(1).\nfinancial assistance scheme means the Victims Financial\nAssistance Scheme established by the Victims of Crime Assistance\nAct 2006.\n\nPart 2 Crime Victims Services Unit\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 3\nhealth practitioner has the meaning that it has in the Health\nPractitioner Regulation National Law.\nimprisonment includes detention.\nmember means a member of the Advisory Committee.\nParole Board means the Parole Board of the Northern Territory\nestablished by the Parole Act 1971.\nparole order has the same meaning as in the Parole Act 1971.\nregister means the Victims Register established under\nsection 8(b).\nregistered means entered on the register.\nrelevant offence, for Part 4, has the meaning in section 18.\nrelevant offender, in relation to a registered person, means the\noffender about whom the registered person is entitled to be given\nspecified information.\nserious sex offence, see section 4 of the Serious Sex Offenders\nAct 2013.\nvictim means a victim of a criminal offence.\nNote for subsection 4\nThe Interpretation Act 1978 contains definitions and other provisions that may be\nrelevant to this Act.\nPart 2 Crime Victims Services Unit\n5 Establishment of CVSU\n(1) The Crime Victims Services Unit is established.\n(2) The CVSU is constituted by the Director and CVSU officers.\n6 Director\n(1) The Chief Executive Officer may in writing appoint a public sector\nemployee to the office of Director of the CVSU.\n(2) The Director must manage the operations of the CVSU and may\nperform any of its functions.\n(3) The Director also has any other functions conferred on the Director\nunder this or any other Act.\n\nPart 2 Crime Victims Services Unit\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 4\n(4) The Director has the powers necessary or convenient for the\nperformance of the functions of office.\n7 CVSU officers\n(1) Each of the following persons is a CVSU officer:\n(a) a public sector employee who is employed in the CVSU;\n(b) a public sector employee appointed to be a CVSU officer\nunder subsection (1A).\n(1A) The Chief Executive Officer may, in writing, appoint a public sector\nemployee who is not employed in the CVSU to be a CVSU officer.\n(2) A CVSU officer may perform the functions of the CVSU in\naccordance with the directions of the Director.\n(3) A CVSU officer has the powers necessary or convenient for the\nperformance of the officer's functions.\n8 Functions of CVSU\nThe CVSU has the following functions:\n(a) to administer the financial assistance scheme and counselling\nscheme;\n(b) to establish and operate the register;\n(c) to coordinate services provided to victims by the Territory and\nto promote the effective delivery of those services;\n(d) to provide information to victims about other services provided\nto victims;\n(e) to promote and oversee the operation of the charter;\n(f) to assist victims to exercise their rights, including by helping\nthem to access information about an alleged offender before\nand during court proceedings;\n(g) to educate the community about the rights of victims;\n(h) any other functions conferred on the CVSU by the Minister or\nunder this or any other Act.\n\nPart 3 Crime Victims Advisory Committee\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 5\n9 Annual report\n(1) The Director must, within 3 months after the end of each financial\nyear, give the Chief Executive Officer an annual report on the\noperation of the CVSU for the year.\n(2) The annual report must include details about the administration of\nthe financial assistance scheme and counselling scheme and the\noperation of the register.\nPart 3 Crime Victims Advisory Committee\n10 Establishment and constitution of Advisory Committee\n(1) The Crime Victims Advisory Committee is established.\n(2) The Advisory Committee is constituted by the following members:\n(a) a person who:\n(i) has qualifications or experience as a legal practitioner,\nmedical practitioner, psychologist, psychiatrist or\ncounsellor; and\n(ii) is appointed by the Minister;\n(b) a person who:\n(i) is a legal practitioner not employed by the Territory or\nCommonwealth; and\n(ii) is appointed by the Minister after consulting with\norganisations representing the interests of legal\npractitioners in the Territory;\n(c) a person who:\n(i) is a health practitioner not employed by the Territory or\nCommonwealth; and\n(ii) is appointed by the Minister after consulting with\norganisations representing the interests of health\npractitioners in the Territory;\n(d) 2 persons, each of whom:\n(i) is involved in the day-to-day operations in the Territory of\nan approved organisation; and\n\nPart 3 Crime Victims Advisory Committee\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 6\n(ii) is appointed by the Minister on the recommendation of\nthe organisation;\n(e) 2 other persons appointed by the Director;\n(f) the Director or a person nominated by the Director;\n(g) the Commissioner of Police or a person nominated by the\nCommissioner;\n(h) the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency primarily responsible\nfor providing health services or community welfare services,\nas decided by the Minister, or a person nominated by the\nrelevant Chief Executive Officer;\n(i) 2 persons nominated by the Chief Executive Officer, of whom:\n(i) one must have expertise in legal matters; and\n(ii) one must have expertise in correctional services.\n(3) The member mentioned in subsection (2)(a) is the chairperson.\n(4) For subsection (2)(d), the Minister may approve an organisation\nproviding counselling and assistance to victims.\n(5) For subsection (2)(i), the Chief Executive Officer may be a member\ninstead of nominating one of the persons mentioned in the\nsubsection.\n11 Term of appointment\nThe members appointed by the Minister hold office for 2 years from\nthe date of appointment but are eligible for re-appointment.\n12 Resignation and removal of member\n(1) A member may resign from office by giving the Minister a written\nnotice of resignation.\n(2) The Minister may terminate the appointment of a member:\n(a) for misbehaviour or incapacity; or\n(b) if the member is appointed under section 10(2)(d) and the\napproved organisation that recommended the appointment\ngives the Minister written notice that the person is no longer\ninvolved in the day-to-day operations of the organisation in the\nTerritory.\n\nPart 3 Crime Victims Advisory Committee\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 7\n(3) The Minister must terminate the appointment of a member who:\n(a) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for\nthe relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with his\nor her creditors or makes an assignment of his or her\nremuneration for their benefit; or\n(b) becomes of unsound mind; or\n(c) is convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment; or\n(d) is absent from 3 consecutive meetings of the Advisory\nCommittee without the Minister's consent; or\n(e) ceases to hold the qualification required for appointment; or\n(f) ceases to reside in the Territory.\n13 Holding meetings\n(1) The Advisory Committee must meet when necessary, but not less\nthan at 6 monthly intervals.\n(2) The chairperson may convene meetings, by written notice to the\nother members, to be held at the time and place specified in the\nnotice.\n(3) If the Minister requests the chairperson to convene a meeting, the\nchairperson must do so.\n14 Procedure at meetings\n(1) Subject to this section, the procedure at meetings of the Advisory\nCommittee is as decided by the members.\n(2) A quorum at a meeting is constituted by 7 members.\n(3) The chairperson must preside at the meetings at which the\nchairperson is present.\n(4) In the chairperson's absence from a meeting the members present\nmust elect a member to preside.\n(5) A question arising at a meeting must be decided by a majority of\nvotes of members present and voting.\n(6) The chairperson or presiding member has only a deliberative vote\nand if there are equal votes on a question it is decided in the\nnegative.\n(7) The Advisory Committee must keep a record of its meetings.\n\nPart 4 Victims register\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 8\n15 Defect or vacancy etc. does not invalidate decision\nA decision or act of the Advisory Committee is not invalidated\nmerely because of any of the following:\n(a) a defect in the appointment of a member;\n(b) a disqualification of a member;\n(c) a defect in the convening of the meeting;\n(d) a vacancy in the membership.\n16 Functions and powers of Advisory Committee\n(1) The Advisory Committee has the following functions:\n(a) to advise the Minister on matters affecting the interests or\nrights of victims;\n(b) to investigate, report and make recommendations to the\nMinister about matters referred to it by the Minister;\n(c) to disseminate information relating to matters affecting the\ninterests or rights of victims;\n(d) to assist in the coordination of organisations involved in, and\ninitiatives for, the provision of services to victims, including\nservices provided by the Territory;\n(e) any other functions conferred on it by the Minister or under\nthis or any other Act.\n(2) When referring a matter to the Advisory Committee for an\ninvestigation, report and recommendations, the Minister may\nrequire the report and recommendations within a specified time.\n(3) The Advisory Committee has the powers necessary or convenient\nfor the performance of its functions.\nPart 4 Victims register\n17 Application of Part\nThis Part applies only in relation to an offender who is sentenced in\nthe Territory for a relevant offence, regardless of any of the\nfollowing:\n(a) whether the offence was committed in the Territory or\nelsewhere;\n\nPart 4 Victims register\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 9\n(b) whether the offence was committed before the\ncommencement of this Part;\n(c) whether all or a part of the term of imprisonment is\nsuspended;\n(d) the age of the offender.\n18 Relevant offence\nA relevant offence is:\n(a) a criminal offence involving the threat or use of violence,\nregardless of whether the violence is threatened or used\nagainst a person; or\n(aa) a serious sex offence; or\n(b) in relation only to a person mentioned in section 19(2)(d) – an\noffence against the following provisions of the Criminal Code:\n(i) section 220 or 221;\n(ii) section 213, as in force immediately before the\ncommencement of section 10 of the Criminal Code\nAmendment (Property Offences) Act 2022.\n19 Eligibility to be registered\n(1) The following persons are eligible to be registered in relation to an\noffender:\n(a) a person who suffers an injury as a direct result of the relevant\noffence (an injured person);\n(b) a legal guardian of an injured person who is a child or suffers\nfrom a disability;\n(c) with the approval of the Director – a concerned person.\n(2) For subsection (1)(c), a concerned person is any of the following\npersons:\n(a) a primary care-giver or family member of an injured person;\n(b) a person nominated by an injured person to receive\ninformation on his or her behalf;\n(c) if the relevant offence is an offence against section 218 of the\nCriminal Code, or section 211 of the Criminal Code as in force\nbefore the commencement of the Criminal Code Amendment\n\nPart 4 Victims register\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 10\n(Property Offences) Act 2022 – a person against whom the\noffender threatens or uses violence during the commission of\nthe relevant offence;\n(d) if the relevant offence is an offence mentioned in\nsection 18(b) – a person inside the building during the\ncommission of the relevant offence;\n(e) a person on whose behalf a domestic violence order is in force\nunder the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 against the\noffender at the time the offender committed, or is sentenced\nfor, the relevant offence;\n(f) a person against whom the offender has a history of using\ndomestic violence;\n(g) a primary care-giver or family member of a person mentioned\nin paragraph (e) or (f);\n(h) a person who has a substantial concern with the relevant\noffence.\n(3) In this section:\ninjury has the same meaning as in the Victims of Crime Assistance\nAct 2006.\n20 Application for person to be entered on register\n(1) A person may apply to the Director to be registered in relation to an\noffender:\n(a) after the offender is sentenced for the relevant offence; and\n(b) before the offender is discharged from the sentence.\n(2) The application must be in the approved form and lodged at an\noffice of the CVSU by personal or postal delivery, facsimile\ntransmission or email.\n21 Decision and notice about entry on register\n(1) As soon as practicable (but no later than 28 days) after lodgment of\nan application under section 20, the Director must decide whether\nor not to register the applicant and give written notice of the\ndecision to the applicant.\n(2) If the offender is a child, the Director may refuse to register the\napplicant if satisfied the circumstances of the offender or relevant\noffence do not justify the applicant being registered.\n\nPart 4 Victims register\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 11\n(3) The notice of the decision must be in the approved form and\ncontain the following information:\n(a) if the person is registered:\n(i) the role of the CVSU in operating the register; and\n(ii) the rights and obligations of the registered person; and\n(iii) the information the registered person is entitled to be\ngiven and particulars relating to the giving of the\ninformation; and\n(iv) any other information specified by regulation;\n(b) if the person is not registered – the reasons for the decision.\n(4) The discharge of the relevant offender from the sentence after the\napplication is lodged but before the Director has made a decision\ndoes not prevent the applicant from being registered.\n(5) The Director must inform the appropriate authority when a person is\nregistered and give details of the relevant offender.\n22 Information to be given to registered persons\n(1) The CVSU must give a registered person the following information\nthat relates to the relevant offender:\n(a) the earliest possible date of release on parole and any\nchanges to the date;\n(b) the date when the Parole Board is to consider release on\nparole;\n(c) the actual date of release on parole;\n(d) the conditions of a parole order that are relevant to the\nregistered person or relevant offence;\n(e) the revocation or cancellation of a parole order;\n(f) transfer to another prison or detention centre interstate or\noverseas;\n(g) escape from the custody of the appropriate authority and any\nrecapture;\n(h) the date of release from a custodial correctional facility or\ndetention centre under a suspended sentence order;\n\nPart 4 Victims register\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 12\n(i) the conditions of a suspended sentence order;\n(j) the variation, revocation, cancellation or discharge of a\nsuspended sentence order;\n(ja) the date of release from a custodial correctional facility under\nan administrative home detention permit;\n(jb) the conditions of an administrative home detention permit;\n(jc) the variation, revocation, cancellation or discharge of an\nadministrative home detention permit;\n(jd) the conditions of a community correction order that are\nrelevant to the registered person or relevant offence;\n(je) the variation, revocation, extension or discharge of a\ncommunity correction order;\n(jf) the conditions of an intensive community correction order that\nare relevant to the registered person or relevant offence;\n(jg) the variation, revocation, extension or discharge of an\nintensive community correction order;\n(k) the actual date of discharge from a custodial correctional\nfacility or detention centre, unless the offender is discharged\nfrom the sentence at the end of a period of release under a\ncommunity correction order, intensive community correction\norder, parole order, suspended sentence order or supervision\norder;\n(l) any other sentence or order that affects the earliest possible\ndate of release, period of imprisonment or period of a\ncommunity correction order, intensive community correction\norder, suspended sentence order or supervision order;\n(m) if known – the locality where the offender will reside while\nsubject to a community correction order, intensive community\ncorrection order, suspended sentence order, parole order,\nsupervision order or administrative home detention permit or\nafter discharge from the sentence;\n(n) the death of the offender;\n(o) any further information specified by regulation.\n\nPart 4 Victims register\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 13\n(1A) If the relevant offence was a serious sex offence, the CVSU must\nalso give a registered person notice of the following:\n(a) that the Serious Sex Offenders Act 2013 may apply in relation\nto the offender;\n(b) the making of any application or appeal under that Act in\nrelation to the offender, other than an application made under\nsection 23, 33, 40, 65 or 66 of that Act;\n(c) whether the application or appeal is successful or\nunsuccessful, or is discontinued or otherwise determined;\n(d) if an order is made under that Act in relation to the offender:\n(i) the fact that the order has been made; and\n(ii) the terms of the order (including its expiry date, if any).\nNote for subsection (1A)\nIn addition to the notification requirements in this section, under the Serious Sex\nOffenders Act 2013 the Director of the CVSU is required to seek submissions\nfrom a registered person when an application made under section 23, 33, 40, 65\nor 66 of that Act or if an offender who is subject to a supervision order is arrested\nor summonsed for an alleged contravention of the order.\n(1B) However, the CVSU is not required to give notice under\nsubsection (1A) to a registered person who has previously informed\nthe CVSU that he or she does not wish to be given information of\nthat kind.\n(2) On application to the CVSU by a registered person, the CVSU must\ngive the registered person the following information that relates to\nthe relevant offender:\n(a) transfer to another custodial correctional facility or detention\ncentre in the Territory;\n(b) the status of the security rating and any change in the status;\n(c) courses or programs undertaken for rehabilitation;\n(d) approved leave of absence from a custodial correctional\nfacility or detention centre;\n(e) any further information specified by regulation.\n(3) Subsection (1) applies even if the registered person is entered on\nthe register after the relevant offender has been discharged from\nthe sentence.\n\nPart 4 Victims register\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 14\n(4) In this section:\nadministrative home detention permit, see section 132 of the\nCorrectional Services Act 2014.\ncommunity correction order, see section 3(1) of the Sentencing\nAct 1995.\nintensive community correction order, see section 3(1) of the\nSentencing Act 1995.\nsupervision order, see section 4 of the Serious Sex Offenders\nAct 2013.\nsuspended sentence order means an order that suspends all or\npart of a term of imprisonment and imposes conditions on the\nrelevant offender for the period during which the term of\nimprisonment is suspended.\n23 Information to be given about consideration of parole\n(1) The Secretary to the Parole Board must inform the Director of the\ndate on which the Board is to consider the release on parole of a\nrelevant offender:\n(a) if possible – at least one month before the date; or\n(b) as soon as practicable before the date.\n(2) The CVSU must inform a registered person of the date on which\nthe Board is to consider the release on parole of the relevant\noffender:\n(a) if possible – at least 28 days before the date; or\n(b) as soon as practicable before the date.\n24 Registered person may make submission to Parole Board\n(1) A registered person may make a written submission to the Parole\nBoard about a relevant offender to be considered for release on\nparole.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent the Parole Board from receiving\nsubmissions from any other person.\n25 Appropriate authority to inform CVSU\n(1) The appropriate authority must inform the CVSU about a matter\nmentioned in section 22(1) or (1A) as soon as practicable after the\nauthority becomes aware of the matter.\n\nPart 4 Victims register\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 15\n(2) The appropriate authority must inform the CVSU about a matter\nmentioned in section 22(2) as soon as practicable after the CVSU\nrequests the information.\n26 When information not to be given to registered person\nDespite anything to the contrary in this Part, the CVSU is not\nobliged to give information to a registered person if the Director\nreasonably considers the information should not be given.\nExample for section 26\nThere may be circumstances when giving a registered person information about\nthe relevant offender may place the offender at risk.\n27 Obligations of registered person\n(1) A registered person must give the CVSU the information required\nby regulation.\n(2) A registered person must also sign a confidentiality agreement as\nrequired by regulation.\n28 Removal from register\nA registered person may be removed from the register as specified\nby regulation.\n29 Non-disclosure of confidential information\n(1) A person must not disclose information about a registered person\nor offender given or received under this Part except:\n(a) as provided under this Part; or\n(b) with the consent of the registered person or offender about\nwhom the information is disclosed; or\n(c) for court proceedings; or\n(d) for any other lawful reason.\nMaximum penalty: If the offender is a natural person –\n400 penalty units or imprisonment for\n2 years.\nIf the offender is a body corporate –\n2 000 penalty units.\n(2) A reference in subsection (1) to a person includes a reference to\nthe Director, a CVSU officer, a registered person and an offender.\n\nPart 5 Miscellaneous matters\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 16\nPart 5 Miscellaneous matters\n30 Charter\n(1) The Minister may issue a Charter of Victims Rights.\n(2) The charter is to establish principles about the way in which victims\nare to be treated in the justice system and may provide for any\nother matters relevant to the rights of victims.\n31 Guidelines\n(1) The Minister may issue guidelines, consistent with this Act and the\nRegulations, relating to the performance of functions under this Act.\n(2) A person performing functions under this Act must have regard to\nthe guidelines.\n32 Protection from liability\n(1) This section applies to a person who is or has been:\n(a) the Director; or\n(b) a CVSU officer; or\n(c) the Commissioner of Correctional Services; or\n(ca) the CEO (Youth Justice); or\n(d) the Secretary to the Parole Board.\n(2) The person is not civilly or criminally liable for an act done or\nomitted to be done by the person in good faith in the exercise or\npurported exercise of a power, or the performance or purported\nperformance of a function, under this Act.\n(3) Subsection (2) does not affect any liability the Territory would, apart\nfrom that subsection, have for the act or omission.\n33 Delegations\nThe following persons may delegate to a person any of their powers\nor functions under this Act:\n(a) the Minister;\n(b) the Director;\n(c) the Commissioner of Correctional Services;\n\nPart 6 Repeal and transitional matters for Victims of Crime Rights and Services Act\n2006\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 17\n(d) the CEO (Youth Justice).\n34 Regulations\nThe Administrator may make regulations, not inconsistent with this\nAct, prescribing matters:\n(a) required or permitted to be prescribed; or\n(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or\ngiving effect to this Act.\nPart 6 Repeal and transitional matters for Victims of\nCrime Rights and Services Act 2006\n35 Definition\nIn this Part:\nrepealed Act means the Crime Victims Advisory Committee\nAct 1990 as in force immediately before this Part comes into\noperation.\n36 Repeal\nThe Crime Victims Advisory Committee Act 1990 (Act No. 12\nof 1990) is repealed.\n37 Continuation of appointment of members\nA member (including the Chairman) under the repealed Act\ncontinues to hold office as a member of the Advisory Committee for\nthe remainder of the term of the member's appointment under the\nrepealed Act.\n38 Continuation of approved organisation\nAn organisation approved under section 4(2) of the repealed Act is\ntaken to be an approved organisation.\n\nENDNOTES\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 18\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 (Act No. 16, 2006)\nAssent date 18 May 2006\nCommenced pt 4: 1 January 2008 (Gaz G51, 19 December 2007, p 3);\nrem: 1 May 2007 (Gaz G17, 26 April 2007, p 7)\nDomestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (Act No. 34, 2007)\nAssent date 12 December 2007\nCommenced 1 July 2008 (Gaz G25, 25 June 2008, p 4)\nJustice Legislation Amendment (Penalties) Act 2010 (Act No. 12, 2010)\nAssent date 20 May 2010\nCommenced 1 July 2010 (Gaz G24, 16 June 2010, p 2)\nSerious Sex Offenders Act 2013 (Act No. 9, 2013)\nAssent date 3 May 2013\nCommenced 1 July 2013 (Gaz G24, 12 June 2013, p 2)\nCorrectional Services (Related and Consequential Amendments) Act 2014 (Act No. 27,\n2014)\nAssent date 4 September 2014\nCommenced 9 September 2014 (Gaz S80, 9 September 2014, p 2)\nStatute Law Revision Act 2017 (Act No. 4, 2017)\nAssent date 10 March 2017\nCommenced 12 April 2017 (Gaz G15, 12 April 2017, p 3)\nYouth Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (Act No. 19, 2017)\nAssent date 30 October 2017\nCommenced 5 January 2018 (Gaz G51, 20 December 2017, p 4)\nJustice and Licensing Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (Act No. 6, 2022)\nAssent date 14 April 2022\nCommenced pt 6: 1 May 2022; rem: 1 July 2022 (Gaz S17, 27 April 2022)\n\nENDNOTES\nVictims of Crime Rights and Services Act 2006 19\nCriminal Code Amendment (Property Offences) Act 2022 (Act No. 24, 2022)\nAssent date 31 October 2022\nCommenced 30 April 2023 (Gaz G8, 13 April 2023, p 1)\nJustice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Act No. 4, 2024)\nAssent date 14 March 2024\nCommenced pt 5, div 1: 30 October 2023 (s 2(2));\npt 3, div 2: 25 March 2024 (s 2(3), s 2 Sentencing and Other\nLegislation Amendment Act 2022 (Act No. 28, 2022) and\nGaz S19, 22 March 2024); pt 4: 25 March 2024 (s 2(4), s 2\nCriminal Justice Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences)\nAct 2023 (Act No. 20, 2023) and Gaz S20, 22 March 2024);\nrem: 15 March 2024 (s 2(1))\nDomestic and Family Violence and Victims Legislation Amendment Act 2025\n(Act No. 12, 2025)\nAssent date 6 June 2025\nCommenced s 14: 1 July 2025 (s 2(2)); rem: 7 June 2025 (s 2(1))\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: ss 1, 4, 19, 22 and 35.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\ns 3 amd No. 9, 2013, s 130\ns 4 amd No. 9, 2013, s 131; No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 4, 2017, s 34; No. 19, 2017,\ns 39; No. 6, 2022, s 16; No. 12, 2025, s 16\ns 7 amd No. 12, 2025, s 17\ns 10 amd No. 6, 2022, s 17\ns 17 amd No. 12, 2025, s 18\ns 18 amd No. 9, 2013, s 132; No. 24, 2022, s 35\ns 19 amd No. 34, 2007, s 146; No. 24, 2022, s 35; No. 4, 2024, s 78\ns 21 amd No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 19, 2017, s 39\ns 22 amd No. 9, 2013, s 133; No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 19, 2017, s 39; No. 4, 2024,\ns 54; No. 12, 2025, s 19\ns 25 amd No. 9, 2013, s 134; No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 19, 2017, s 39\ns 29 amd No. 12, 2010, s 3\nss 32 – 33 amd No. 27, 2014, s 57; No. 19, 2017, s 39","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act replaced the earlier Crime Victims Advisory Committee Act 1990 (s 36) and, through subsequent amendments recorded in the endnotes, expanded and clarified who may be treated as a victim and what information must be provided. Notable scope changes in the text include broadened definitions of relevant offences (explicit inclusion of serious sex offences and specified property/offence circumstances — s 18), enlarged eligibility categories for registration (addition of 'concerned persons' and domestic‑violence related nominees — s 19(1)(c), s 19(2)(e)–(g)), and an expanded list of reportable events and supervision types that must be notified to registered persons (detailed additions at s 22, including administrative home detention and various community correction orders). The Act also centralised administration in the CVSU and gave the Minister power to issue a Charter and guidelines (ss 5–8, 30–31), shifting practical decision‑making and rule‑making into executive instruments and inter-agency processes (see ss 23, 25, 33–34), thereby changing how victims’ information and services are delivered compared with the repealed regime."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple institutional actors and interagency links requiring coordination: CVSU, Director, appropriate authority (Commissioner of Correctional Services or CEO (Youth Justice)), Parole Board and approved organisations (see ss 4, 5–7, 23, 25, 10(2)(f)–(i)).","Detailed and branching eligibility and registration rules creating administrative discretion: various categories of eligible persons including injured persons, guardians and a broad class of 'concerned persons' with multiple subcategories (s 19(1)–(2)).","Extensive, itemised notification entitlements and optional information on application, with many specific event categories to monitor (s 22(1), 22(1A), 22(2) and s 23).","Directorial discretion to withhold information where reasonably warranted, introducing case-by-case balancing between disclosure and risk (s 26).","Procedural timeframes and administrative duties (application methods, 28-day decision deadline, Parole Board notice periods) creating operational deadlines (ss 20, 21(1), 23).","Confidentiality regime with significant criminal and corporate penalties for unlawful disclosure, imposing compliance obligations on multiple actors (s 29).","Advisory Committee composition, quorum and appointment rules involve multilayered nomination, consultation and statutory requirements (s 10, ss 11–14), raising governance complexity.","Cross-referencing and interaction with other statutes (Parole Act 1971, Serious Sex Offenders Act 2013, Correctional Services Act 2014, Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2006) increases legal complexity and implementation dependencies (see ss 4 note, 22(1A), defined terms).","Ministerial instruments, regulations and delegations expand administrative discretion and rule-making (ss 30–31, 33–34), requiring subordinate instruments to operationalise key elements.","Transitional and repeal provisions preserve continuity from the previous statute and reflect multiple historical amendments listed in the endnotes, complicating the statutory history to be applied (ss 35–38; Endnotes/List of amendments)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates the Crime Victims Services Unit and an advisory committee, runs victims’ counselling and financial-assistance schemes, and establishes a Victims Register that gives eligible victims specified offender information (parole dates, releases, transfers, supervision conditions and related events). Eligible people apply to the Director, who decides registration and may withhold information; registered persons must provide prescribed information and sign confidentiality agreements. The CVSU coordinates services, promotes a Charter of Victims Rights and liaises with corrections and the Parole Board to provide notifications."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has expanded significantly beyond its original 2006 scope. The original Act established the CVSU and Advisory Committee with basic registration functions. However, amendments have substantially broadened the scheme: (1) The 2013 amendments integrated the Serious Sex Offenders Act 2013, adding extensive notification requirements for sex offenders; (2) The 2014 and subsequent amendments expanded sentencing options tracked (community correction orders, intensive community correction orders, administrative home detention permits); (3) The 2022 and 2024 amendments expanded eligibility to include domestic violence victims and refined property offence categories; (4) The 2025 amendments further expanded eligibility criteria. The register now tracks offenders across multiple correctional and community supervision frameworks, making it a comprehensive monitoring system rather than a simple notification service."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate cross-referencing to other NT Acts (Youth Justice Act 2005, Correctional Services Act 2014, Serious Sex Offenders Act 2013, Parole Act 1971, Sentencing Act 1995, Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007, Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2006)","18 defined terms in section 4, with some definitions referring to other legislation","Detailed eligibility criteria for registration in section 19 with multiple categories and sub-categories","Extensive list of information disclosure requirements in section 22 (22 separate items plus sub-items)","Conditional logic for when information must or must not be given (e.g., section 26 allows refusal if information might place offender at risk)","Multiple amendments over time (shown in endnotes) creating layered provisions, particularly regarding serious sex offences and various sentencing options (community correction orders, intensive community correction orders, administrative home detention permits)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis is the Northern Territory's main law for supporting people who have been victims of crime. It sets up two key bodies and creates a system to keep victims informed about offenders.\n\n**The two main bodies:**\n\n*   **Crime Victims Services Unit (CVSU):** A government office that runs counselling and financial assistance schemes for victims, operates a Victims Register, coordinates services, and promotes victims' rights.\n*   **Crime Victims Advisory Committee:** A committee that advises the Minister on victims' issues. It includes lawyers, health professionals, police, corrections officials, and representatives from victim support organisations.\n\n**The Victims Register:**\n\nThis is a key feature. Victims of **violent crimes** or **serious sex offences** can apply to be registered. Once registered, they receive automatic updates about the offender, including:\n\n*   When the offender might get parole (early release)\n*   When parole hearings are happening\n*   If the offender escapes or is transferred\n*   Conditions of their release (parole, community orders, etc.)\n*   For serious sex offenders, updates about supervision orders under the *Serious Sex Offenders Act 2013*\n\nRegistered victims can also make written submissions to the Parole Board about whether the offender should be released.\n\n**Who can register:**\n\n*   People directly injured by the crime\n*   Parents or guardians of injured children\n*   Family members, caregivers, or others with a substantial concern (with approval)\n*   People who were threatened during certain offences (like home invasions)\n*   Victims of domestic violence by the offender\n\n**Other important features:**\n\n*   **Charter of Victims Rights:** The Minister can issue a charter setting out principles for how victims should be treated in the justice system.\n*   **Confidentiality:** Strict rules prevent disclosure of information about registered victims or offenders, with penalties up to 2 years imprisonment.\n*   **Protection from liability:** Officials acting in good faith are protected from being sued.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis law recognises that victims have rights too—not just offenders. It tries to reduce the fear and uncertainty victims feel by keeping them informed about what happens to the person who harmed them, and gives them a voice in parole decisions. It also ensures practical support through counselling and financial assistance schemes."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-rights-and-services-act-2006","history":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-rights-and-services-act-2006/history","analysis":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-rights-and-services-act-2006/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-rights-and-services-act-2006/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-rights-and-services-act-2006/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-rights-and-services-act-2006/documents"}}