Justice System Navigator

About the role

The Justice System Navigator works to provide support to victim-survivors of sexual violence to understand their rights and support options. This role provides independent specialist support to victim-survivors of sexual offending to help them to understand and access their rights and navigate justice and recovery options. Justice System Navigators work independently to help victim survivors navigate services and systems including but not limited to criminal justice processes including reporting to police, court processes, civil processes and claims, complaints processes, restorative justice options, and universal services. Justice System Navigators provide strengths based and trauma-informed navigation support but do not provide therapeutic care, counselling, or legal advice.

Key responsibilities

• Support victim-survivors to understand and exercise their rights, and support them to navigate justice, compensation, and recovery options.

• Provide trauma-informed, specialist, practical support to victim-survivors, including impartial and accurate information about their rights and entitlements.

• Identify where victim-survivors may require legal advice and other supports and facilitate warm referrals to appropriate services that can support victim survivors' healing and recovery.

• Work collaboratively with the SALS partners as well as legal services, local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other services in Northern Territory.

• Provide support and information to secondary victims such as children, friends and family members (with the consent of victim-survivor).

• Advise and participate in continuous improvement activities to improve the operation of justice and other systems from the perspective of victim-survivors of sexual violence.

• Maintaining accurate records, collecting required data and fulfilling reporting requirements.

• Delivering services in accordance with relevant policies, guidelines and information sharing protocols.

About you

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in social work, psychology, counselling, other related discipline; or equivalent industry experience.

• Demonstrated experience and trauma-informed practice supporting victim-survivors of sexual violence, with a strong knowledge of the dynamics of such violence, and the social and legal context in which it occurs.

• Excellent communication skills, in particular, high-level skills in negotiation, advocacy, conflict resolution and general interpersonal communication. Very good level of writing skills.

• Strong understanding of Northern Territory justice and recovery service offerings and how to negotiate and advocate with multiple service systems to support the needs of clients and their families.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding in providing quality advocacy to a diverse range of community members e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ people, and also socio-economically disadvantaged groups.

• A strong understanding of intersectionality and how to work accessibly and effectively with victim-survivors who experience increased barriers to safety and justice.

• An ability to work collaboratively with, but independently from, justice agencies and professionals to progress the needs and preferences of victim survivors.

• Resilience & Flexibility: The ability to work with ambiguity, manage complex cases, and maintain a professional, positive outlook.

• Autonomy & Teamwork: The capability to work independently under general direction and as a contributing member of a team.

• Ethical Practice: A strong commitment to ethical conduct, continuous improvement, and professional learning.

About us

Ruby Gaea, Darwin Centre Against Sexual Violence has been supporting women and children in the Greater Darwin Area since the mid-1980's. Starting as a feminist grass roots initiative, the Darwin centre emerged in tandem with other rape crisis centres established across the world since the 1970's. The centre, initially known as Ruby Gaea – Darwin Centre Against Rape, has been offering counselling, education, and information for over thirty-five years. We continue to be a strong advocate for systemic change that supports the healing of survivors, educates our communities, and works effectively together to end sexual violence.