Victim Impact Statement |
A Victim Impact Statement is a statement completed by the individual to whom harm was done, or by someone who suffered physical or emotional loss as a result of the crime. It allows you the oppourtunity to participate in the sentancing and post-sentancinf stages of the justice system. The statement provides you a voice in which you can express to the judge, the defence, the offender, and the police and parole officers how the crime has effected your life. It may determine the terms in an offender's sentance, as well as decisions for release. In some cases the judge may order payment of losses or damages to the victim. Completing a Victim Impact Statement is entirely voluntary. You decide if you want to fill it out, or if you wish not too. |
What should the Victim Impact Statement say? |
The statement lets you express your feelings to the court and the offender on how the crime has affected your life. It should only describe the impact on your life and not your opinions on the offented, the court system or opinions on sentancing. Consider the following questions when describing how the crime changed your life. |
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Do I feel fearful, vulnerable, helpless, angry? |
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Have my attitudes and feelings toward myself changed? |
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Have I had any changes in my behaviour, lifestyle, sleep patterns, or eating/drinking patterns? |
Did I have to seek counseling or therapy? |
Did I sustain any physical injuries? |
Did I develop a physical illness? |
Did I miss out on any education/work opportunities? |
Did I incur and medical, therapy, or counseling expenses? |
Have I had any changes in my relationships with my partner, friends, family, or colleagues? |
The Victim Impact Statement should adequatley address all issues of the impact of the crime on your life. Standards and polices regarding the length may vary from province to province. Once you have completed the statement it should be returned to the poice or the Crown responsible for the case. It is the directly submitted to the court and judge for consideration during the sentancing phase of the trial. A copt of the statement is given to the Crown, the judge, the defence attourney as well as the offender. |
While not common, if it is returned before the trial the defence may wish to cross-examine you on its contents during the trial. If you return the statement after a finding of guilt you may also be cross-examined by the defence cunsel about what you have said (although it is very uncommon) |
Is the Victim Impact Statement confidential? |
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The statement is given to the court, the judge, the Crown, and the offender. The statement is also presented in a public court hearing during sentancing., and may also be seen by a probation officer. Before a copy can be released to the media written consent must be obtained from the judge. |
After the sentancing, the statement is forwarded to the appropriate correctional service administering the sentance to the offender. |