FROM THE CE
2
In 2015-16 base funding from the Victims of Crime Fund accounted for only half of our overall revenues as VSS continued to take a proactive approach to the challenge of meeting increases in demand from a stagnant funding base by diversifying our revenue streams .
This year we extended our service model for victims of crime through the introduction of a new psychological assessment service to assist victims seeking compensation for nonfinancial loss through the Victims of Crime Fund ; and the Women ’ s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service . We are currently assessing options to extend our legal support services , and we are co-locating with a disability advocacy service in anticipation of the full roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme ( NDIS ) from 2017 . crime , and building a more tech-savvy VSS . Critical to this was the modernisation of the VSS website . Given that more than 50 per cent of web users now browse using a mobile phone or tablet , our old site had become obsolete because it was incompatible with mobile devices . The new site fixes this issue and provides a more informative and efficient information resource for users , including :
• enabling client enquiry forms to be completed online
• increasing our research capability and use of research data to inform our practice and
• continuing the transformation of service delivery through the implementation of new Models of Service .
These new initiatives , in addition to existing non-core funded programs like Staying Home Staying Safe , Royal Commission Support Services and administration of the Family Safety Framework , augment the South Australian Attorney-General Department ’ s ( AGD ) funding of general and regional victim services . This reflects our strategy to build a more holistic service model for victims of crime through a single point of entry .
During the course of 2015-16 we have embedded a number of other key objectives from our Strategic Plan into the organisation . Notably , we have :
• Started to deliver on our virtual services strategy by focusing on the growing use of technology to deliver more efficient and effective services for victims of
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all of the VSS staff members for their enthusiasm , continued commitment and hard work ; the Board for its leadership and commitment to our vision of all people impacted by crime and abuse in South Australia accessing the support they need throughout their recovery and justice journey ; our funders for their continued confidence in our work ; and lastly our volunteers who play such a key , but often understated , role in assisting victims to cope and recover from crime .
Throughout 2015-16 our services have touched many lives and many communities . This Report seeks to highlight the impact of our services in the community by depicting the work that our staff and volunteers do day-in day-out for , and on behalf of , victims .
Julian Roffe Chief Executive VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICE