About

Office of the Victims’ Commissioner

The Victims’ Commissioner is appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister and acts independently and in the public interest.

The Victims’ Commissioner together with the Sexual Violence Review Board (the Board) is established through the Victims’ Commissioner and Sexual Violence Review Board Act 2024. The Victims’ Commissioner leads the board as Chairperson.

The Commissioner will have regard to the vulnerability of specific victim cohorts, including but not limited to, victims of sexual violence or domestic and family violence, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Office of the Victims’ Commissioner (OVC) supports the Victims’ Commissioner and the Board in promoting and protecting the needs and rights of victims of crime in Queensland, through:

• engaging with victims of crime, associated support services and government entities to identify and advise government on systemic issues relating to victims and survivors of crime in Queensland.

• dealing with complaints about alleged contraventions of the Queensland Charter of Victims' Rights.

• reviewing matters relating to the reporting, investigation and prosecution of sexual offences including legislation, practices, policies, and systems to identify systemic issues.

Key Responsibilities

As the Victims’ Commissioner, you will be responsible for:

• Identifying and investigating systemic issues relating to victims of crime in Queensland;

• Conducting research into matters affecting particular cohorts of victims, working through related data findings and making recommendations to the Minister;

• Consulting on matters relating to victims, including a person’s lived experience and the person’s experience in the criminal justice process;

• Promoting the Queensland Charter of Victims’ Rights (the Charter) and advocating on behalf of victims by providing advice, training, information, or other help to government and non-government entities;

• Handling complaints about alleged contraventions of the Charter and providing recommendations based on the findings of subsequent complaint investigations;

• Publishing and monitoring reporting in relation to recommendations made by the Commissioner on the criminal justice process for victims and support services;

• Advising the Minister on issues affecting victims and the promotion of victims’ rights, including making recommendations on improvements to legislation, policies, practices, procedures, and systems across the justice system, including other government agencies, to support the rights of victims and monitor the implementation of recommendations made by the Commissioner to the Minister and agencies;

• Providing annual reports and other reports to the Minister on issues and recommendations relating to victims and sexual violence and authoritatively representing the Office of the Victims Commissioner (OVC) and Board, as the leader of the OVC, in responding to enquiries from the media and other stakeholders;

• Representing the interests of victims and the OVC on state based and inter-jurisdictional advisory bodies and working groups as required;

• Chair of the Sexual Violence Review Board which reviews matters relating to the reporting, investigation and prosecution of sexual offences including legislation, practices, policies, and systems to identify systemic issues to ensure it appropriately performs its functions.

Some of the key elements of the role will include:

• Overseeing the OVC complaints management function in a complex environment;

• Building and maintaining the trust of stakeholders through thoughtful, trauma-informed, and open engagement and effective communication;

• Developing a sound understanding and knowledge of policy and practice developments, including criminal justice reforms in Australian and International jurisdictions to:

  • advance the interests of victims

  • address challenges for victims of crime

  • improve victim support by government and non-government entities; and

  • drive systemic reform functions of the OVC

• Effectively leading diverse criminal justice and community stakeholders as chair of the Sexual Violence Review Board;

• Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of recommendations by government agencies.

Key Stakeholders

Technical Skills, Abilities and Capabilities

The role requires an incumbent with the expertise and capabilities to:

• Lead strategically, collaboratively, and thoughtfully and value diversity;

• Communicate information through highly developed interpersonal skills across a range of key internal and external stakeholders;

• Operate effectively in complex environment, manage change when required, and make sound and defendable decisions with incomplete, ambiguous, and conflicting information;

• Understand complex systems and the impacts of policy, legislative, process and other changes on victim experience within the justice system;

• Engage appropriately with risk and show courage by challenging important issues constructively, standing by their position when challenged, and supporting others when required.

Qualifications and Other Requirements

While not mandatory, qualifications in a legal or other relevant discipline would be highly regarded. Detailed knowledge and regulatory experience, as well as a broad understanding of contemporary issues, policies and practices relating to the criminal justice system and victim support sector are considered essential requirements.

To be appointed as the Commissioner, the following requirements would also be highly regarded:

• Professional qualifications and/or relevant professional experience in the justice sector and victim support sector

• Professional experience in senior operational positions relating to strategic leadership and the effective management of staff, and demonstrated competence in the management of complex complaints and the identification of systemic issues impacting victims of crime.