How Do You Write a Powerful Victim Impact Statement?

Before we guide you about writing a powerful victim impact statement, let’s get started with the definition of a victim impact statement.

What Is a Victim Impact Statement?

The statement, which is in written form or orally presented to the court in the sentencing of the defendant. Most of the time, victims, their families, relatives, and close friends of the victim which participate in both forms of written or oral statements. Most often, many individuals write victim statements to sentencing judges, and only a few of them directly connect to the crime speak sentencing. Victim statements are helpful for the judge to hear how the criminal actions affected you and your loved ones. Please note that victim statements are not only limited to the court. Often, paroling agencies allow an opportunity to present a victim statement.

How to Write a Powerful Victim Statement?

If you are preparing the victim statement, the following questions may help you in writing a powerful victim statement. We know it would be a painful procedure for you to write about your feelings. So, make sure to pace yourself first, don’t think you have to make it “perfect.” Be gentle and take as many breaks as you need when trying to write a victim statement. If you are preparing to write your victim statement, below are questions that can guide you well.

i. How has the crime affected you and your family?

ii· The emotional impact of the crime which affected you and your family?

iii· What was the financial loss on you and your family?

iv· Do you know any person or have any recommendations to the court about the sentencing of the case?

v· Do you think there is anything you want to tell the court?

A crime impact assessments UK, there is a rule it should be sent to with all major applications, either can be sent:

· As design part and access statement

· Or it can be a separate document, cross-referencing access statement, and design

The above-provided guidelines do not completely cover the totality of the Impact of a crime, but maybe they can be used as a starting point. The victim statements are always unique, and there are various ways of expressing how a crime happened and affected. Even though the guidelines are given before sentencing, there is a lot of flexibility in how you present your victim statement. Few things which you need to take into consideration.

Things Need to Do in Your Victim Impact Statement

Write your victim impact statement in simple words. You have to help the court to understand how badly you affected your family and the trauma you are going through. Nobody will understand what you are feeling and in which situation you are, so you need to help understand your Truman by using emotional feelings evoking words in your statement. The descriptive words in your statement can help people form an image of what exactly you are trying to say.

Things Do Not Need to Add to Your Victim Impact Statement

Always remember, don’t express your anger directly to the court or the offender. You should express pain and hurt, not blame. The reason is to blame has already been placed on the offender. So now, act smartly, and talk about what you are going through and experiencing after your loss.

Always remember, never use slang language; it can destroy the effectiveness of your statement.

You don’t need to describe what should happen to the offender on prison premises in your statement. Please never give any statement on to harm you want to see.

Remember, never put personal, identifying information in your written statement or say it verbally in court. This information includes your home address, mailing address, email, or phone number, the reason being that one copy of this statement will be directly submitted to the offender. If you say it out loud in court, you are giving the offender an opportunity to contact you directly in the future, and it can be harmful to you.

Why Should You Write a Victim Statement?

It is not necessary to write an impact statement, and it is a choice whether you want to go for it or not. It is a right that you have but not compulsory to participate in.