Job Title

About Us : PACT provides support to vulnerable victims and witnesses of crime throughout their court journey. About You : No formal education is required, however Blue Card/Working with Children screening check is mandatory for this role. The courts set the key times and dates, and vulnerable victims and witnesses trust and rely on us to be there. So youll be organised, dependable, flexible and reliable. Naturally, our clients and their families and carers come from all walks of life, so youll have excellent communication skills that allow you to build rapport over the phone and in person. Our clients often take a while to trust and open up, so youll need top-notch skills dealing with victims and witnesses, be able to speak their language and play games with a friendly and warm attitude. Were one of many stakeholders involved in the court system so youll need to be proactive, be willing to take the initiative and be happy emailing/picking up the phone to find out whats happening in your cases, when the court dates have been arranged and to seek updates for the families when required. Position Summary : PACT volunteers support vulnerable victims and witnesses of all ages who need court support. The role of our volunteers is to provide impartial, empathetic support for those who are required to give evidence in criminal courts, either as victims of, or witnesses to, a crime. Key Requirements : This is a unique opportunity that isn''t for everyone, and working in the justice/community space comes with some boxes to tick, so our recruitment process may be slightly more formal than what you are used to. In order to apply, all applicants must provide a copy of their resume along with a covering letter addressing the below questions; Please tell us why you would like to be a volunteer PACT Support Person. Do you have any relevant previous work experience (work, volunteer, family, etc.)? Are you currently studying, working or looking for employment, or, do you have any regular weekday commitments? How far would you be prepared to travel to attend court or visit a family? How did you hear about PACT and this opportunity? If you were referred to us by a PACT volunteer or employee feel free to name them so we can pass on a message of thanks! Job Responsibility : AS A PACT COURT SUPPORT VOLUNTEER, YOU WILL: Build rapport, trust and respect with the victim/witness and their family Educate and inform victims/witnesses about the legal and court process Maintain appropriate contact with the victim/witness from the initial referral until the court matter is finalised Prepare the victim/witness so they know what to expect before each key stage Offer reassurance, empathy and understanding to build trust Be respectful, professional, courteous and act in accordance with PACTs values and ethics Remain impartial and independent Understand, apply and keep within the boundaries of your role Maintain discretion and confidentiality in all situations, matters and issues related to PACT activities Ensure case notes, files and databases are kept up to date in a timely manner EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOULL DO AS A PACT VOLUNTEER The following steps may not apply in all instances, as the support PACT provides varies depending on whether were supporting a child/special category witness or an adult. Contact the Police and Department of Public Prosecutions to learn more about the case, charges and likely steps as things progress to the trial. Youll build positive, productive and respectful relationships with our stakeholders as we all work together for the best possible outcomes. Reach out to the victim/witness in an initial phone call, to introduce our support services, answer their initial questions and explain the key steps that will happen as the matter progresses to court, which could be 18-24 months. Meet with the victim/witness/carer in a home visit, giving you the chance to educate them on the legal and court system, build trust to enable better support and begin preparing them to give evidence. Support the victim/witness as they watch their original video evidence, helping them understand the evidence they gave previously when interviewed by the police. Offer court support on the day the victim/witness gives their evidence. Youll meet them at the court and escort them to our *PACT waiting rooms (*children and special category witnesses). Youll reduce their anxiety and nerves by offering them reassurance and encouragement, engaging them in activities to help the time pass and answer their questions as they wait to give their evidence. Youll offer them information on giving evidence while remaining impartial and independent, while avoiding talking about the evidence or what they are going to say. Your role is to support, not tell. Assist a victim/witness with the Victim Impact Statement, where you educate the victim/witness on the information that should (and should not) be part of their statement. You may even sit with them while they write it and explain how to spell some words but you wont tell them what to write, nor write it for them. One of our helpful partner organisations is responsible for checking what has been written, we seek only to guide and inform at the start. The Victims Register application. Youll help the victim understand their rights and importantly, assist them to register so they will receive updates before the offender is released in the future. This gives them peace of mind for the duration of the sentence, knowing the offender hasnt been released without their knowledge. Financial Assistance Applications. Youll offer information about the ways in which the victim can claim compensation, receive financial assistance and answer the common questions they have, as you offer encouragement to complete a basic application form so their claim can begin with Victims Assist Queensland. Sentencing. Occasionally the victim/witness (or their carer) may want to attend court to hear the verdict or observe the sentence being given. You will attend court with the victim/witness, help to manage their expectations of what sentence may be given and offer support as they come to terms with the sentence provided. HOW WELL SUPPORT YOU TO BE AN AWESOME SUPPORT VOLUNTEER Firstly and most importantly youll be joining a great team of like-minded people who are supportive, kind, eager, determined and helpful. We are a genuine community that supports, encourages and helps each other. Youll receive a comprehensive induction alongside your fellow new recruits so you can immediately start forming a network of your own. We also use a buddy system as you learn the ropes, so you can first watch another volunteer perform the role, learn some useful tips and then have someone to help as you begin to do the talking/supporting. We offer skills-based training that builds on your communication skills, helps you maintain your role boundaries, manage your own stress and self-care routines, use our IT systems and deal with the variety of requests youll receive from the victim/witnesses and their families. Theres a team available to take your ad-hoc questions, offer support when you need it and discuss anything that pops up from time to time. Add in our regular team meetings, newsletters, updates from the staff and CEO, and youll have a wealth of information from the day your join us until (hopefully many years later!) its time to take on a different direction. Our team will contact you with details about each case to see whether you are able, or comfortable, with each case youd like to help with. We understand that sometimes communities are small and you may know those involved, that there are particular types of cases you may want (or not want) and we do our best to work with you according to your preferences. LETS BE HONEST, THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES. YOU SHOULD KNOW The majority of the clients PACT supports have been the victim of a sexual offence. As a volunteer, youll hear all the detail of what happened as the victim/witness gives their evidence which can be very distressing, takes an emotional toll and you will need to debrief if things get too much. Hearing what happened to a 6 year girl, a 12 year old boy or a 40 year old woman can be very difficult to cope with. This definitely isnt for everybody and this role is suited to people who have either been exposed to similar work/environments in the past, or have a high degree of resilience and mental strength. It can also be hard to be impartial and stay quiet as the victim/witness gives their evidence. Keeping silent when you can see a victim/witness crying and upset as the Defence Counsel continues to ask questions is very difficult. Youll want to speak up, but you wont, because youll know that doing so can damage a case and do more harm than good in the long run. Job Functions : Volunteering Job Benefits : Volunteers have access to Happy HR Flare benefits and regular professional development. Selling Point : Help Your Community Thrive One Act of Service at a Time Contact : Kelly Brannen