Support
 for Adults
 & Children

The justice process can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. PACT provides support to victims of all ages navigating the court process. PACT provides court support to children, young people, adult victims and witnesses navigating the court process.

Simple Hero Stones
PACT REFERRAL

Has a referral for PACT already been submitted for you?

Great. The next step is an initial phone call from our office team where we’ll provide key information, confirm your preferred contact method and discuss the support you may need.

While you wait to hear back from us, you’re welcome to explore our educational resources to learn more about how we can support you and what to expect throughout your court journey.

WE WILL CALL TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU Please note our volunteers manage multiple cases and will respond as soon as possible.

That’s okay. A referral is required before we can provide court support, and there are two ways to arrange this.

Option 1 (Recommended): Contact your arresting officer or victim liaison officer and request PACT support. They can submit the referral on your behalf. This is usually the easiest option, as they already have the required court information.

Option 2: You can complete a self-referral form. Please note that this requires specific details such as your QPS reference number and upcoming court dates. If you’re unsure about this information, your arresting officer can help guide you.

MAKE REFERRAL Everyone’s circumstances are different, and you can choose the option that works best for you.

If you’re unsure whether a referral has been submitted on your behalf, that’s completely okay. You can contact your arresting officer or, if you have one, your victim liaison officer to check.

You’re also welcome to contact PACT directly and we can help confirm this for you and guide you through the next steps. 

You don’t have to navigate this alone — we’re here to support you. 

If you are under 18

PACT supports children and young people involved in court matters as victims or witnesses.

The only requirement for support is that you are involved in a court matter as a victim or witness and that a referral has been submitted. If you do not yet have a referral and would like court support, please click “No” above to find out how to organise one.

If you would like more information on the court process, you can access our youth resources here.

Contact Us

WHAT WE DO

PACT is an independent, not-for-profit organisation providing volunteer court support to children, young people, adult victims and witnesses. We help you understand the legal process and stand by your side during court proceedings, including when giving evidence.

We can also assist with Victims Assist Queensland financial assistance applications and help you prepare a Victim Impact Statement. PACT is not a counselling or legal service. We do not provide legal advice or therapy, but we can connect you with appropriate support services if needed.

Looking to refer someone?

Please submit a referral by clicking the button below.

How PACT Provides Support

Here’s what you can
expect from PACT
 throughout the court journey

01 Information Our trained volunteers provide clear, easy-to-understand information about the court process. We explain what to expect, who will be involved, and what each stage means for you, so you can feel informed and prepared.
02 Preparing for Court Our volunteers help you prepare for court by explaining what will happen, where to go, and what to expect on the day and when giving evidence. We attend with you and provide practical guidance and support, so you can feel more confident and prepared.
03 Support While Giving Evidence PACT volunteers can sit with you in court as a support person while you give evidence. While we may not be able to speak on your behalf or to you during the court proceedings, our presence is there to help you feel supported and less alone during this time.
04 Financial
Assistance We can support and guide you in completing and submitting a Financial Assistance application to Victims Assist Queensland (VAQ). PACT does not manage the funds or application directly, so for any updates you can check the status of your application on VAQ’s website.
05 Victim Impact Statement We can assist you in writing a Victim Impact Statement if required.
06 Interstate Support If you live outside of Queensland, however you are involved in a court matter progressing in the Queensland Courts we can assist you if you are required to attend court within Queensland, and can provide phone support.
Support Stones
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who needs to be on the referral?

You will need to provide your contact details, the defendant’s information, your QP number, and your most recent court dates and stages.

Having as much information as possible helps us provide the best support. If completing the referral on your own is difficult, you can ask your arresting officer to submit it for you. 

Can I get financial assistance?

To apply for Financial Assistance you must submit an application on the Victim Assist Queensland website, and you must have reported a crime.

Financial Assistance will be given on a case by case basis. For further information on eligibility and your application requirements, visit the Victim Assist website here

Can you give me legal advice?

PACT is not a legal service and therefore our staff or volunteers are unable to provide any legal advice.

If you require legal advice please see our Other Support Services page to find more information.

Who will be my volunteer?

We will assign a volunteer based primarily on your location and any other requirements or requests you have disclosed to us.  

Where are your volunteers located?

Our volunteers are located across Queensland, including regional areas. 

We will do our best to match you with a volunteer based on your location. 

Do you support with Domestic Violence Order Hearings?

Unfortunately we are unable to support in Domestic Violence Order Hearings.

Please visit our Other Support Services page to connect with a support organisation that can assist you. 

Do you only assist Queensland Matters?

PACT primarily supports people involved in court matters in Queensland.

If you live outside Queensland but need to attend court here, we can provide support in person and over the phone. 

Can PACT provide counselling?

PACT is not a counselling service. We provide court support and can connect you with appropriate services if needed. 

Understanding your court journey

Your Court Journey helps you understand the court process. It gives an overview of the steps you may take, the people you might meet, and the support available to you along the way. It’s designed to help you feel more prepared, more confident, and more supported as you take each step.