The ACT Human Rights Commission has come out in support of Victims of Crime Commissioner Heidi Yates following the public release of the Sofronoff Inquiry’s report on Monday.

In a media statement, the Commission says it welcomes the finding that Ms Yates acted in accordance with her statutory
duties in providing support and assistance.

“We also welcome the board’s finding that Commissioner Yates was ‘subjected to a degree of unjustified
public criticism because of a general lack of understanding about what the Victims of Crime Act 1994
required her to do’,” the Human Rights Commission says.

“The VOCC and Victim Support ACT have statutory responsibilities to provide support, advocacy and
financial assistance to victims of crime in the territory, in recognition of the fact that victim-survivor
engagement with the justice system can be a complex, protracted and harrowing experience.

“We will review and carefully consider the whole of the report’s findings and recommendations, including
Recommendation 2, which relates to the Victims of Crime Act 1994.”