Enough is Enough

 
 

Victim impact statements

The impact of crime on victims has historically been neglected in the adversarial legal system. The role of the victim in court proceedings is a passive one - as observer or witness in the process. Until recently, victims had no mechanism to voice their feelings about the crime and its impact on them or their families.

A Victim Impact Statement is a statement made by the victim and addressed to the judge for consideration in sentencing. It includes a description of the harmful consequences (financial, social, mental, emotional and physical) of the crime.

For many years, Enough Is Enough campaigned for the introduction of Victim Impact Statements, and the right for people to read them out in court. The Australian National Committee on Violence subsequently recommended that Victim Impact Statements should be introduced in all jurisdictions, subject to the addition of safeguards against abuse by the Crown or defence.

More information on the Victims' Charter of Rights and Victim Impact Statements can be accessed at the following websites:

In New South Wales, go to Law Link.