Witness Assistance Service
The Office of Director of Public Prosecutions offers support to victims of crime, witnesses and their families — anywhere in the Northern Territory throughout the criminal justice process.
Witness Assistance Service staff can:
- Help you understand how the courts and the legal system work.
- Show you the court and where the facilities for victims of crime are before the case.
- Be with you in court or while you are waiting to give evidence.
- Inform the prosecutor of any special needs you have.
- Tell you about welfare, health, counselling and legal services available to victims of crime.
- Tell you about financial assistance available under the Northern Territory Crimes (Victims Assistance) Act.
- Tell you how to claim witness expenses.
- Help you prepare a Victim Impact Statement.
You can ask about:
- Any inquiries being made, however, the police cannot tell you anything that would put the investigation at risk.
- Charges laid against the accused person and any later change to the charges.
- Whether bail has been granted and any bail conditions.
- The reasons why a plea of guilty to a lesser charge was accepted from the accused.
- The reasons not to lay charges or not to proceed with charges.
- The place, time and date of when the case is to go to court.
- Victim Impact Statements.
- The result of the case and any sentence imposed.
- Any property of yours held by the police or the DPP.
Darwin Office
Level 3, Old Admiralty Tower
68 The Esplanade, Darwin NT 0801
Telephone: 08 8935 7500
Alice Springs Office
Level 1, Centrepoint Building
Hartley St, Alice Springs NT 0870
Telephone: 08 8951 5800
The VSU notifies victims of crime in writing about the service and invites them to make contact.
Freecall telephone number: 1800 659 449.
Victims are provided with several publications at the appropriate times. These include the VSU pamphlet and the Victim Impact Statements booklet which includes a pro forma for victims who choose to prepare a victim impact statement independently.
Police Domestic and Personal Violence Protection Unit
- Alice Springs 8951 8888
- Darwin 8948 0110
Legal Advice and Advocacy
- NT Legal Aid Commission Legal Information Line: 1800 019 343
- Central Australia Women’s Legal Service: 1800 684 055
- Central Australia Aboriginal Family Legal Unit: 1800 088 884
- NPY (Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) Women’s Council of Aboriginal Corporation Domestic Violence Service: 1800 180 840
- Northern Australian Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service: 1800 041 998
- Domestic Violence Legal Service (Darwin): 8999 3000
- Katherine Women’s Information and Legal Service: 1800 620 108
- Katherine Aboriginal Family Support Unit: 8972 3200