The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has condemned a recent privacy breach by the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT), which exposed the personal email addresses of over 480 recipients, many of whom are victims of crime.
Ms Broad has called on the Victorian government to provide urgent support and protections for affected victims and to ensure measures are put in place to prevent similar breaches in the future.
Ms Broad said, on 26 September VOCAT emailed recipients about upcoming changes to its financial assistance scheme, accidentally including the personal email addresses of all recipients in the visible distribution list. This exposure left victims feeling vulnerable and exposed.
“One of those impacted said they felt very violated, as it is stressful enough waiting on a hearing and then your details are exposed,” Ms Broad told Parliament.
“They said people were asking to be removed and were copying the whole group – a distressing experience for all involved. One recipient replied to all on the email chain and reported they tried to contact VOCAT on Thursday afternoon via phone, and after one-and-a-half hours were told ‘No comment.’
“I am advised that VOCAT tried to recall the message, then sent an email stating the email was sent in error and they were working to recall and contain the message.
“A further email chain included 189 people from the original email chain that was sent from an inappropriate and offensive email address, and they continued to send emails that would have been very distressing for any recipient.”
Ms Broad said one recipient who called the information line was advised to contact their local police.
“They had to retell their story, and then again to another acting sergeant – with a further two phone calls from police, again having to retell the story, as the officer from the night before was not on shift. Then there was another call, from the criminal investigation unit – and so it continues.
“This error by VOCAT has caused significant distress and anxiety to this recipient and, I expect, to many recipients. This is sensitive information that was entrusted to a government organisation, and the privacy of victims of crime should have been protected.”
Ms Broad called on the Minister for Victim Support to offer protection, support and financial compensation to those directly impacted and to outline steps to ensure it never happens again.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764, 4436 4777 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
