One effective instrument that allows victims of crime to communicate how a criminal offence has impacted their lives is a Victim Impact Statement (VIS). The court’s decision is influenced by these declarations, which are frequently made throughout sentencing or parole hearings. Although many victims use it as a way to express their emotions.
There are some things to keep in mind to make sure that the statement is appropriate, efficient, and compliant with the law. The main points of what should or shouldn’t be in a victim impact statement will be discussed in this article and also keep yourself open to some crime impact statement advice.
A victim impact statement: what is it?
A victim impact statement (VIS) is a written or verbal account of the financial loss or emotional and bodily harm the victim has endured as a result of the incident or offences. There is an application to assist you in writing your VIS in the majority of provinces. If you are seeking details, it’s an excellent move to examine the Provincial and Territorial Links as these forms may differ somewhat.
What does the victim impact statement aim to achieve?
You have the chance to describe, in your own words. How the crime influenced or continues to affect you in a victim impact statement to the perpetrator including the court. The law requires the judge to take your statement into account whenever determining the appropriate sentence for the criminal.
Psychological and Emotional Impacts
Clearly stating how the incident has impacted your emotional and psychological health. Serves as one of the most crucial components of your victim impact statement. You should describe how this event has affected your life in this part. You could talk about how emotions like dread, worry, depression, or lack of confidence contributed to your day-to-day activities.
Sleep issues, trouble trusting people, or persistent anxiety about their safety are common complaints from victims. The specifics of your recovery, including hospital stays, rehabilitation, or long-term disability, ought to be disclosed. For example, if you suffered injuries in a violent assault. You can also talk about any pain or suffering you still feel and how it makes it harder for you to continue living your life the way you did before the incident.
Effects on the Body
It’s crucial to include information about any physical injury the crime may have done. This covers any necessary medical procedures or procedures, any injuries sustained right away, and any adverse health outcomes. Besides the emotional or psychological strain, addressing the physical toll of the crime enables the court to understand the real impact on your body.
Economic Repercussions
Financial difficulties are a common consequence of a crime for many victims. These might involve lost income, medical expenses, or the price of fixing damaged property. Your statement should include precise numbers and an explanation of how these costs have affected your financial security.
You should describe the financial consequences of crime if it forced you absent from work. Particularly if it has caused financial hardships for your family. It’s beneficial to include recurring expenses additionally, like treatment or future medical treatment. Be specific when describing these losses because courts may take into account reparation depending on how much revenue the crime has produced.
Effect on Interpersonal Relationships
In addition to the immediate victim, crimes frequently have an impact on the victim’s friends, family, and various other relationships. The court may be better able to comprehend the wider ramifications. If you include a part discussing how the offence has affected your relationships. After a horrific incident, some victims struggle to keep up friendships or family relationships, while others might encounter pressure from the psychological impact of the crime.
Concerns for the Future
Your worries or anxieties about the future may be included in a victim impact statement. It’s crucial to voice any worries you may have about your well-being, dealing with the perpetrator again or the time it may take to emotionally heal. This part provides the court with an outlook. How the crime will influence you going ahead, even after it has ended. It also aids the court in understanding why the repercussions of the offence may be lifelong rather than just temporary.
Guidelines for Submitting Your Victim Impact Statement
You can get assistance in writing your victim impact statement, but it must be in your own words. You may render it as long or short as you like. Although you are not required to, you are welcome to compose it as a letter to the judge. It might be typed or handwritten. Your victim impact statement must be signed and dated after it has been written. The victim impact statement must be submitted by the date specified by the officer conducting the investigation or victim liaison officer.
Final Words
Although creating a victim impact statement may seem a difficult and emotional task, it may also serve as a crucial milestone in your healing process. You can assist the court in understanding how the offence has impacted your life by emphasising the mental, physical, financial, & relational effects of the offence.
