Some vulnerable victims of crime may be able to read their Victim Impact Statement aloud to the court with special protections in place. For example, they may be able to read it to the court:

• via closed-circuit television

• with a support person present

• with people excluded from the courtroom.

You need to discuss any protections with the prosecutor before the court proceedings so arrangements can be made.

A statement may not be read to the court or taken into account if:

• it is offensive, threatening, intimidating or harassing

• it expresses an opinion about the sentence

• admitting it into evidence would not be in the interests of justice.

A Victim Impact Statement should also avoid:

• descriptions of the actual crime committed (this will be provided to the court via the statements made to police or other prosecution documents)

• any reference to the offender’s behaviour that is not relevant to the current sentence proceedings.

Things to be aware of:

The defence lawyer and the offender are entitled to see the Victim Impact Statement before the sentencing hearing. This means the CDPP needs to receive any completed statement before any sentencing proceedings. If you are not sure about when your statement is needed, please contact the prosecutor, WAS officer, or police officer involved.  

• The defence lawyer may challenge the statement content and, while rare, it is possible the victim or person who wrote it may need to give evidence in relation to it. A judge would usually decide this.

• The media may report on what is said in a Victim Impact Statement.

No. Unless you want to read your statement aloud to the court or have been told you may be cross-examined on it, you don’t have to attend court to provide it. 

They are generally written by the victim of the offence. However, in certain circumstances it may be possible for another person, such as a family member, to write it on their behalf.

No. A Victim Impact Statement is voluntary.

A Victim Impact Statement must be truthful and accurate and include details of the harm a victim suffered.
Different types of offending will cause different types of harm in both the short and long term. You may refer to the following types of harm in your statement:

• physical, psychological and emotional suffering

• economic or other forms of loss

• damage, for example to property.

Yes, children can make one and there is support to help them do this.

A Victim Impact Statement may be written in a number of different ways.

• you can use this form

• as a typed or hand written letter

• children may use drawings and poems.

There is no particular word length or limit for one. 

In addition to containing details of the personal impact and harm suffered, a Victim Impact Statement should also include:

• the name of the victim

• the full name and signature of the person who wrote the statement

• the date the statement was completed and signed

• a statement that acknowledges the offender is entitled to be shown a copy of the statement and consent for the statement to be tendered in the court proceedings

• your preference as to how you would like the statement to be presented to the court.

There are a range of support services around Australia that can help you write a Victim Impact Statement.

If the CDPP Witness Assistance Service is involved, ask your WAS officer for help.

Alternatively, you might like to contact the prosecutor or police officer involved with any questions or concerns regarding Victim Impact Statements.