Homicide Victims Support Group Australia Inc

What Homicide Victims Support Group Australia Inc does

Homicide Victims Support Group Australia Ltd. (HVSG) is a non-profit charitable organization founded in June 1993 in New South Wales, Australia, providing bereavement support, trauma counselling, and advocacy services to families of homicide victims. Established by the parents of Anita Cobby and Ebony Simpson after the families were introduced to each other, the organization operates a 24/7 crisis hotline (1800 191 777), a general inquiries line, professional trauma and bereavement counselling, and programs including the Men's Group, a Children's and Grief Program, and residential therapy weekends. It also runs the Ebony and Ivory Houses, two free cottages providing accommodation for families attending court cases or seeking respite, opened officially on 8 December 1995 by Premier Bob Carr.

The organization is funded primarily by the NSW State Government through the Western Sydney Local Health District, supplemented by tax-deductible donations from members, the public, and corporate sponsors. The original $50,000 grant from the Fahey Government in November 1994 established the initial personnel funding stream, administered via the Institute of Forensic Medicine. All services are provided free of charge to approximately 4,200 family members, with membership growing on average every three days. The organization operates from offices in Parramatta (Church Street, located near Police Headquarters, Victims Services, and the State Parole Authority) and Doonside, with a referral network spanning NSW Police, ambulance services, hospitals, and other victim support organizations. The current CEO, Martha Jabour, leads ongoing advocacy for criminal justice reform, including public positions on the Good Character at Sentencing Bill 2026.

HVSG is categorized as a private non-profit entity with no public shareholders. Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on peer referrals, government referrals, and direct outreach via the monthly newsletter 'Our Link' rather than paid marketing. The only disclosed funding round is the 1994 government grant; no private equity, venture capital, or founder ownership structure is indicated. The organization reports no patents, trademarks, regulatory actions, or M&A activity, and operates as a single-entity charitable structure with no subsidiaries.

Name

Homicide Victims Support Group Australia Inc

Legal name

Homicide Victims Support Group Australia Ltd.

Website

https://hvsgnsw.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Homicide Victims Support Group Australia Ltd. (HVSG) is a NSW-based non-profit founded in 1993 that provides 24/7 crisis support, trauma counselling, peer support meetings, therapy weekends, and free accommodation to families of homicide victims, funded primarily by Western Sydney Local Health District and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Victim Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Victim Services & Witness Assistance (Justice System) (BPAIAFAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

Keywords

• Grief counselling services
• Victim support programs
• Bereavement counselling
• Trauma support services
• Peer support groups

Headquarters

HQ city

Doonside

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The NSW State Government substantially funds the activities of the organization. Western Sydney Local Health District provides primary funding. In 1994, the Fahey's Government granted $50,000 for personnel to assist families affected by homicide.
2. Donations: Donations from members, friends, caring members of the public, and corporate sponsors. Donations are tax deductible.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Homicide Victims Support Group Australia Ltd. is a not-for-profit organization that provides free grief counselling, peer support, trauma and bereavement services, and advocacy to families and friends of homicide victims across NSW, Australia. Its core offerings include a 24/7 crisis hotline, professional trauma and bereavement counselling, regional support meetings, residential therapy weekends, and free accommodation at Ebony and Ivory Houses, all delivered at no cost to affected families.

Product overview

Homicide Victims Support Group Australia Ltd (HVSGAL) is a not-for-profit organization offering a comprehensive suite of support services for families of homicide victims. Founded in June 1993, the organization operates a 24/7 crisis hotline (1800 191 777) and general inquiry line, along with professional trauma and bereavement counselling. Key programs include the Men's Group support meetings, Children's grief program, and the Ebony and Ivory Houses accommodation facilities. The organization provides practical guidance on media relations, post-homicide procedures, and hosts residential therapy weekends. Services are delivered across NSW with funding from Western Sydney Local Health District and donations, serving approximately 4,200 family members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ebony and Ivory Houses: Retreat cottages providing free accommodation for families of homicide victims who need to get away from everyday life, media attention, and reminders of their loved ones.
• Men's Group
• Our Link

Products and services

• 24/7 Crisis Hotline Round-the-clock telephone crisis line staffed by trained volunteers and counsellors, providing immediate support to families of homicide victims across NSW.
• Professional Trauma and Bereavement Counselling Confidential trauma and bereavement counselling delivered by qualified professional counsellors to family members bereaved by homicide.
• Support Meetings across NSW Regular in-person peer support meetings held across NSW, attended by trauma and bereavement counsellors, connecting bereaved family members with others who have shared experience.
• Therapy Weekends

Quantifiable outcome

• ~4,200 family members supported, with membership growing every 3 days

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered foundational and supporting.

• Institute of Forensic MedicinefoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe counselling section at the Institute of Forensic Medicine worked with family members to introduce the concept of the HVSG. Originally administered the government funding grant.
• NSW Police ForcesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe organization ran programs for the NSW Police Force and other organizations. Police Service representatives were involved in the original Steering Committee in 1993.
• NSW State Coroner's OfficesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NSW State Coroner's Office was consulted during the formation of the organization. Former State Coroner Kevin Waller was on the original Steering Committee.
• Attorney General's Department (NSW)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Attorney General's Department was consulted during the establishment of the organization. Victims Services is part of the Attorney General's Department and consists of the Victims Compensation Tribunal.
• Ebony Simpson FamilyfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily of Ebony Simpson, one of the founding families who helped establish the organization in June 1993. Christine Simpson identified the need for a recovery centre, leading to the creation of Ebony House.
• Anita Cobby FamilyfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily of Anita Cobby, one of the founding families who helped establish the organization in June 1993 when parents of Anita Cobby and Ebony Simpson were introduced to each other.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lifeline Australia: Large-scale Australian crisis support non-profit operating a 24/7 helpline; comparable in crisis-line delivery and volunteer-based support model, though serving a much broader population beyond homicide victims.
• Mission Australia: Large national community services non-profit offering crisis accommodation, family support, and advocacy; comparable in operating government-funded social support services and residential facilities across Australia.
• Salvation Army Australia: Large faith-based non-profit providing crisis accommodation, family support, and advocacy services; comparable in operating free residential facilities and government-funded victim and family support programs.
• Red Cross Australia: Major humanitarian organization providing emergency relief, family support, and crisis services; comparable in government funding relationships, volunteer-driven service delivery, and emergency accommodation models.

Direct peers

• Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement: Specialist bereavement support organization providing counselling, education, and research; comparable in bereavement counselling methodology and grief support programs for traumatic loss.
• Griefline: Australian telephone and online bereavement support service; comparable in volunteer-staffed helpline delivery and bereavement counselling for traumatic loss, including violent and sudden death.
• Victim Support Australia: National non-profit providing support and advocacy to victims of crime, including homicide, with similar trauma counselling, justice navigation, and referral-based service models in Australia.

Regional players

• Domestic Violence NSW: NSW peak body for domestic violence services; comparable in providing NSW-anchored victim support, advocacy, and government liaison for families affected by serious violent crime.
• White Ribbon Australia: Australian organization addressing gender-based violence, including violence against women; comparable in advocacy focus, family support services, and government partnerships, though with a different victim profile.

Emerging players

• Bravehearts: Australian non-profit focused on child sexual abuse prevention and victim support; comparable in providing counselling, advocacy, and justice navigation for families affected by violent crime.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/homicide-victims-support-group-australia-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Homicide Victims Support Group Australia Inc