A primary victim is a person who is injured or dies as a direct result of:
- a violent crime committed against him or her;
- trying to arrest someone he/she believes, on reasonable grounds, has committed a violent crime;
- trying to prevent the commission of a violent crime; or
- trying to aid or rescue someone he/she believes is the victim of a violent crime.
A primary victim may be awarded up to $60,000 in financial assistance, to cover reasonable expenses incurred (or likely to be incurred) in recovering from the crime for:
- reasonable counselling expenses;
- medical expenses incurred as a direct result of the violent crime;
- reasonable safety-related expenses;
- loss of earnings of up to $20,000 for a period of not more than 2 years from the crime;
- loss of or damage to clothing worn at the time of the violent crime; and
- other expenses actually and reasonably incurred, or likely to be incurred, by the victim to assist in his/her recovery from the violent crime.
In addition, the Tribunal may make an award of special financial assistance of up to $10,000 to a primary victim who has suffered a significant adverse effect as a result of a crime being committed against them. Awards of special financial assistance provide the Tribunal with the opportunity to make a payment to a victim on behalf of the community in recognition of the harm suffered by the victim as a direct result of a crime of violence. Further information is available on the Special Financial Assistance page.