Victim impact statement
A Victim Impact Statement (VIS) explains how a crime has harmed the victim. It is usually a written statement signed by the victim and presented to the Judge in court before the offender is sentenced.
Why make a victim impact statement?
A VIS is your voice in court and tells the court how a crime has, or is still affecting you. The Court can take this information into account when sentencing the offender.
Do I have to make a victim impact statement?
The Court wants to know how you have been affected by the crime. While it is voluntary, a VIS is your opportunity to tell the Judge and the offender in your own words how you have been affected.
What information should I include?
You should include details of any physical or mental harm and other loss or damage you suffered as a result of the crime. Anything you include must be truthful, accurate and relate to the crime for which the defendant has been guilty but you do not need to include any details about the crime itself as this information will already be before the Court.
What information should I not include?
Details of the crime, you do not need to explain how the crime has happened as the Judge will already know about that. Details about other crimes. An opinion on the offender's personality or character. Inappropriate or offensive language.
Click on A guide to preparing a Victim Impact Statement PDF (552.6 KB) for more information on writing a statement.
There are two Victim Impact Statement forms available for you to use, you only need to choose one form.
FORM A PDF (134.0 KB) is standard PDF form that people can use if they want to hand write a short statement. This form provides specific sections to address with pointers on what to include.
FORM B DOCX (26.8 KB) is a form in Word that people can use if they want to type their statement or need more space than available on the standard form.
It is important that you sign and date your Victim Impact Statement; this can then be handed or posted to the Witness Assistance Service in your local area or handed to your local Police Station if you live in the Northern Territory. If you are able to scan the document once you have signed it you may email it to your Witness Assistance Service Officer.