The NSW Government has approved the appointment of Hannah Damkar as the state’s first independent Victims of Crime Commissioner.
In a statement, the Government said the new Commissioner will work to improve the experience of victim-survivors by identifying systemic issues in the justice system and advocate for reforms that deliver better outcomes. This will include, promoting consistent treatment of victims through the Charter of Victims’ Rights and identifying areas where government agencies can work together more effectively and improve practices.
“When someone becomes the victim of a crime, it turns their life upside down. At that moment, they deserve to know someone is in their corner, that they’re being treated with respect, and that the system is working for them,” said Premier, Chris Minns.
“For the first time, NSW will have an independent Victims of Crime Commissioner whose sole focus is to listen and advocate for victim-survivors and driving improvements across the justice system.
“Hannah Damkar has spent her career standing beside people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. She understands what victims go through, and I know she’ll be a compassionate, determined and independent advocate for victim-survivors across NSW.”
The Commissioner will also be responsible for establishing a new complaints handling framework which will provide certainty to victims of crime about how complaints will be managed. The framework will empower the Commissioner to resolve complaints through practical actions, including recommending agencies apologise to complainants or review policies and procedures.
Ms Damkar will be appointed for a five year term from 30 July, and brings extensive public sector experience supporting victim-survivors and communities through major crises.
She has coordinated government recovery efforts, community support and engagement following tragedies including the Greta bus crash and the Bondi Junction attack, and has significant experience working with people affected by domestic and family violence.
Most recently, she served as Deputy Coordinator General for the NSW Government’s response to the Bondi Beach terror attack in December.
In that role, she worked closely with victims to navigate support services and ensure their experiences helped shape the NSW Government’s response, including financial assistance packages.
Ms Damkar said it was “an honour and huge responsibility” to take on the inaugural role of the Independent Victims of Crime Commissioner in NSW.
“At its core, this office is about treating victims with dignity, compassion and respect, and working alongside victims to improve their experience of the justice system as a whole,” she said.
“I would like to recognise the many victims of crime across the state, particularly those who I have had the privilege to meet, and who have shared their stories openly and honestly.
“I look forward to continuing to engage with victims and services in my new advocate capacity, to ensure their views are heard by Government and contribute to meaningful change.”
Ms Damkar was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2023 in recognition for outstanding public service during the NSW 2019 – 2020 bushfires, COVID-19 pandemic and Northern Rivers floods.
She has served in various roles across the NSW Public Sector for over a decade, including the NSW Bushfire Recovery Taskforce, Resilience NSW and Transport for NSW.
The Office of the Commissioner will sit within the NSW Premier’s Department, while the Department of Communities and Justice will continue to administer the Victims Support Scheme and register for victims of forensic patients.
The Government said the new Independent Commissioner will:
- Operate independently;
- Advocate on behalf of victims of crime on a systemic level and oversee the Charter of Victims’ Rights, which sets out how victims of crime should be treated;
- Have the power to request or require an individual or agency to produce information or documents related to an alleged breach of the Charter;
- Be able to prepare special reports for NSW Parliament on relevant matters, including the Charter of Victims’ Rights, and enter information-sharing arrangements with public sector agencies;
- Be responsible for identifying, reviewing and conducting research into systemic issues faced by victims of crime, consulting with victims of crime and their supporters, and making recommendations for improvements.
“Ms Damkar’s appointment as Victims of Crime Commissioner is a significant step to strengthen support and advocacy for victim-survivors,” said Acting Attorney General Kate Washington.
“We have heard from victims of crime who have felt voiceless in systems that are meant to deliver them justice, so we’ve acted.
“Our new Victims of Crime Commissioner will give victims the voice they deserve.”
The Commissioner will also appoint a new Victims Advisory Committee to replace the existing Victims Advisory Board. The new committee will include representatives from the general community who have relevant knowledge of and experience in matters relating to victims of crime. It will also include an Aboriginal representative, a person living with a disability, as well as representation from NSW Police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Legal Aid and the Department of Communities and Justice.
The legislation, appointment and creation of the Office of the Victims of Crime Commissioner follows detailed and extensive consultation with key groups including victims’ support bodies and justice agencies.
More information about the Victims of Crime Commissioner is available at nsw.gov.au/vocc.
