My work with people harmed by crime includes:

Providing seamless, ongoing mental health support to help the recovery of victims of sexual and violent assault, families of victims who have died, and children who become victims of crime.

The Legislative Council unanimously agreed my motion on March 9, 2022, calling on the government introduce these changes.

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Victim motion wins unanimous support

Giving voice to victims at a major inquiry into Victoria’s criminal justice system so Parliament understands the impact of serious crime on people’s lives and improves support to help their recovery.

I initiated an inquiry by the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee into Victoria’s criminal justice system in June 2020. The inquiry reported on March 24, 2022.

 Thirty-one of its 100 recommendations were directed at improving recovery support for victims of crime.

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Inquiry recommendations and report

Successfully changing the law to extend protections for people harmed by crime so they no longer face their offenders at the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal.

I successfully amended the government’s Workplace Safety and Other Matters Amendment Bill 2021 on March 9, 2022, with consequent effect on the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996. The changes were given royal assent on March 16, 2022.

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Tania Maxwell strengthens victim protections

Exposing the extent of coercive control in family violence by getting Legislative Council agreement for the government to review this  and enable courts to take offender history into account.

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Victims’ experience can bring telling reform

Strengthening safeguards against stalking by recommending changes to a Victorian Law Reform Commission review of stalking law and policing.

Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party has proposed 43 reforms to Victoria’s stalking laws, policing framework, and victim support, including ‘red flag’ training to identify stalking.

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Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party fights for stalking reform