Victim impact statements

Victims of a violent crimes can tell the court about how the crime has affected them in one of three ways:

• prosecutor's submissions. The prosecutor tells the court about the harm that has been done to you
• sworn evidence. The prosecutor calls you as a witness at the sentence hearing and asks you about how the crime has affected you
• a victim impact statement.
  

A written victim impact statement is signed by the victim and explains how a violent crime has affected their life. This statement is not compulsory and if a victim decides not to make one, they can still tell the crown prosecutor about how the crime has affected them.

If the person accused of the crime is found guilty, the judge will consider this statement at the sentence hearing.

People can make a victim impact statement if they have suffered harm because:

• a violent crime has been committed against them
• a violent crime has been committed against a member of their immediate family
• they are a dependant of someone who has had a violent crime committed against them
• they went to the aid of a victim of violent crime.
  

Usually, the Crown prosecutor gives victim impact statements to the judge or may read out sections of their statements to draw the judge's attention to particular points.

A judge may also allow a victim to read their statement to the court.