Victim Impact Statement

The completion of the Victim Impact Statement provides an opportunity for the victim to express to the offender, to the Judge/Magistrate and to the court how the crime has affected/is continuing to affect their life.

The information in the Victim Impact Statement can be used by the Judge/Magistrate when sentencing the convicted person.

Assistance for victims in writing their Victim Impact Statements can be given by any person including Victim Support Service, Witness Assistance Officers in the Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions, Police Victim Contact Officers or any other supportive person/agency.

The victim does not have to provide a Victim Impact Statement and can choose whether to do this. However many people find it useful to have a voice in a court process that can sometimes cause a feeling of powerlessness.

A victim can change their mind about providing a Victim Impact Statement at any time up to sentencing, bearing in mind that the prosecution, defence counsel and the convicted person also need to see the statement before it is presented.

Victim Impact Statements are just one part of the entire sentencing process known as "submissions".

Submissions are also presented to the Judge/Magistrate on behalf of the convicted person. The victim does not have to be present for these submissions. It is usual practice for the Victim Impact Statement to be presented first.

Please click here for more information about Victim Impact Statements