Victim Impact Statement Resource Package
July 2002This Resource Package was developed by Victim Advocate Anne Seymour (Justice Solutions: Washington, D.C. 2001) to provide guidelines for courts and correctional agencies that are responsible for implementing victims’ right to an impact statement. It should be revised, as needed, to reflect both state law and agency policies in your jurisdiction.
Some of these resources have been adapted from “Victim Impact: A Victim’s Right to Speak, a Nation’s Responsibility to Listen” written by Janice Harris Lord and Ellen Alexander, and published by the National Victim Center and MADD in 1994.
Special thanks is extended to Bob Wells, a Senior Instructor with the Behavioral Science Division of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, for his assistance in drafting and editing this document.
Special thanks is also extended to the Honorable Ted Todd, Judge, Fifth Judicial District in Indiana for providing on overview of what courts consider in the adjudication of youthful offenders.
Electronic versions of this Resource Package are available via e-mail: annesey@erols.com. Please specify “Word” or “Word Perfect” in your request.
General Background Information
Suggestions for Completing Your Victim Impact Statement
Suggestions for Providing Victim Impact Information to the Parole Board
Sample Victim Impact Statement Form
Documenting Losses for Victim Restitution
Integrating Victim Impact Statement Issues into Offender Casework
Sample Cover Letter for Victim Impact Statement:
This letter can be adapted for criminal and juvenile courts,
as well as for adult and juvenile paroling authorities.“Dear Mr./Ms. :
(Name of agency) is committed to helping crime victims, and providing services and support to people in our community who have been hurt by crime. We are sorry that you were victimized, and are grateful for your participation in the criminal/juvenile justice process. Your involvement and input are vital to promoting individual and community safety, and to holding your offender accountable for the harm s/he has caused.
One of your most important rights as a victim of crime is the opportunity to tell the court how you and your loved ones have been affected by the crime. Your completed “victim impact statement” ensures that your voice is heard as part of the justice process.
It is important for the court to understand the nature of the offense, and its impact on you and your loved ones – emotionally, physically and financially. Your victim impact statement will also give the court valuable information that can be used to hold the offender accountable, and to promote safety for you and for our community.
I have enclosed a resource package that describes the process for completing the victim impact statement process. Any additional information you think is important for the court should be provided as an attachment to your victim impact statement.
We are grateful for your continuing support to the criminal/juvenile justice process. If you have any questions about completing your victim impact statement, or would like information about services for victims in our community, please contact (name) at (area code/telephone number).
Thank you very much.
Enclosures: Suggestions for Completing Your Victim Impact Statement
Victim Impact Statement Form (questions)
“Documenting Financial Losses” Checklist
General Background Information
1. What Is a Victim Impact Statement and How Is It Used?
Victim impact statements provide an opportunity for your voice to be heard by our justice system. When completed, it is an important document that describes how the crime has affected you and your loved ones, and provides input into how the court can best hold the offender accountable for the harm s/he has caused.
As a crime victim, you have the opportunity to use this victim impact statement to describe how this crime affected you and others close to you. This statement has space for you to:
• Describe the crime and its physical, emotional, and financial effects on you and your loved ones.
• Discuss any concerns you may have about your safety and security.
• Address any changes in your life you may have experienced since the crime occurred.
• Offer suggestions for a resolution that is fair, and provide information that will give the offender the opportunity to take responsibility for actions that caused you harm and loss.If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty after trial, your impact statement will help the judge understand how this crime has affected you and those close to you.
Filling Out This Statement Is Voluntary
You do not have to fill out a victim impact statement. However, it may be helpful to the judge when he or she decides what sentence the defendant should receive, and/or any money the defendant may have to reimburse you for expenses you have paid or owe because of this crime. If the judge orders the defendant to pay you restitution, there is no guarantee that the defendant will be able to pay the entire amount. However, a court order for the full amount of your losses is an important component for victims to pursue civil remedies for all of the financial losses associated with this crime. Whether or not you choose to submit a victim impact statement is a decision made by you and your family. It is a voluntary right that you have as a victim of crime.
Suggestions for Completing Your Victim Impact Statement
The following suggestions and the attached victim impact statement form are offered only as a guide. Please answer as many questions as you wish. If you need more space, you can use additional pages and simply attach them to the form when you return it.
Only you know how to best describe the effects this crime has had on you and those close to you. We realize it may be difficult to describe in words how this crime has affected you, your family and friends. However, your input is vital to determining a sentence that is fair and just, and holding the offender accountable for the harm s/he caused you. The questions that follow are designed to help you and your family complete this important process. Some victims have found it helpful to write a rough draft of their statement before completing the final statement. If you should need any assistance in completing your victim impact statement, please feel free to contact my office for assistance at (telephone number) .
If you would like to tell the court about the emotional impact of this crime, you may wish to consider:
• How this crime has affected your lifestyle or those close to you.
• How your feelings about yourself or your life have changed since the crime.
• How your ability to relate to others has changed.
• Any counseling or other support you have obtained to help you cope.
If you or your family members were injured, you may wish to tell the court about the physical impact of this crime. You may wish to describe:
• The specific physical injuries you or members of your family suffered.
• How long your injuries lasted or how long they are expected to last.
• Any medical treatment you have received or expect to receive in the future.
• How your physical injuries have affected your lifestyle, i.e. ability to work, enjoy recreational pursuits, etc.
It is very important for the court to understand how this crime has affected your ability to earn a living and how it has affected you financially. If you have paid or owe any money for bills because of this crime, please fill out the financial impact section of the statement. It is important to be as accurate and complete as possible when listing your costs because this information will be used by the prosecutor, probation officer and judge to help them determine what restitution the defendant must pay to you.
We have included a separate checklist to help you describe and document the types of financial losses you may have endured, or will be faced with in the future. It is important to be as complete as possible in describing your financial losses, as this information will be used by the probation department/paroling authority and provided to the judge/paroling authority for determining restitution. Restitution is the possible payment by the defendant to you for any financial losses you may have suffered as a result of this crime.
3. Who Has Access to Your Victim Impact Statement?
Your statement will become an official court document after it is given to the court, and will become part of the defendant's permanent file. The judge, prosecutor, and probation officer will read your statement. In addition, prison and parole officials may read your statement if the defendant is sentenced to a prison/detention term.
The defendant and the defendant's attorney will also be able to read what you have written. They may even be able to ask you questions about your statement in court. However, the defendant will not be able to see your address and telephone number because you are not asked to put them on your statement.
Add in applicable jurisdictions: You also have the right to speak to the judge at the time of sentencing. If you would like to do so, please contact our office immediately so we can facilitate your oral statement to the court.
Add in applicable jurisdictions: You also have the right to give your victim impact statement in the form of an audio or video tape, or via teleconference if traveling to the sentencing hearing imposes an undue burden on you. If you would like to pursue any of these options, please contact our office immediately for further information and assistance.
Add in applicable jurisdictions: The information you provide in your victim impact statement can be utilized to help the offender understand how his/her criminal/delinquent actions have affected your life. While your personal contact information will not be revealed, the information you provide about victim impact – with your permission – may be integrated into offender casework to address personal accountability and victim empathy issues.
4. Crime Victim Compensation
If you are a victim of a crime involving violence or resulting in personal injury, you may be able to receive financial help from the Crime Victim Compensation Program. This program can pay you back for certain out-of-pocket expenses for physical or emotional injuries received as a direct result of a crime. These expenses may include medical bills, counseling costs, funeral bills, and lost wages and support. This is not the same as restitution. You may be able to receive money to help you with some of your medical bills even before you go to court.
You can file for benefits immediately following the crime even if no arrest has been made. If you would like more information about the possible benefits available, or how to apply for victim compensation, please contact our office for assistance, or contact the (state victim compensation program) directly at: (address; telephone number; e-mail; and web site).
For Help With Your Victim Impact Statement
Please return your completed impact statement to our office within (#) days. If you have any questions while writing your impact statement or if you would like to speak to the judge at sentencing, please contact our office immediately so we can help set this up for you. If our office can help you in any way at all, contact us at: (name of agency; address; telephone number; and/or e-mail.) If you need more space to answer any of the following questions, or if you have additional information that is not addressed by these questions, please use as much paper as you need, and simply attach these sheets of paper to this impact statement. Thank you.
Suggestions for Providing Victim Impact Information to the Parole Board
In 1998, a group of crime victims and service providers from Louisiana – at a meeting sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections – developed the following suggestions for providing victim impact statements for paroling authorities:
• It is always helpful to review a copy of your original victim impact statement (VIS) provided at the time of sentencing to determine if your feelings and concerns have changed, and to provide a copy of your original VIS to the paroling authority prior to the hearing.
• Do you have any concerns about presenting information to the paroling authority that you do not want your offender to hear?
• Does the crime still affect you emotionally? If so, how?
- Do you have any long-term mental health trauma resulting from the crime that has been clinically diagnosed, such as:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder?
- Depression?
- Thoughts of suicide, or suicide attempts?
- Alcohol and other drug abuse?
- Problems with relationships?
- “safe place?”
- Trust issues?
- Post-traumatic stress disorder?
• Has this crime affected your family and loved ones? If so, how?
• Have you incurred expenses resulting from the crime for which you have not been compensated (such as counseling or other mental health costs, physical rehabilitation, funeral expenses, relocation, time lost from work, etc.)?
• Would you like an order of restitution to compensate you for these costs?
• Has your offender (or his/her family or colleagues) attempted to contact you in any way that poses intimidation, harassment or potential harm?
• Do you have any specific fears related to the possibility of your offender being released?
• If “yes,” do you have any recommendations that can make you feel more safe or secure if the offender is released to the community?
• Do you have any specific suggestions regarding how the Department of Corrections and/or Paroling Authority can hold the offender accountable for the harm s/he has caused, such as:
- Victim restitution?
- Community service based upon your recommendation?
- Alcohol or other drug treatment?
- Offender-specific treatment (such as sex offender, batterer, etc.)?
• In the event that the offender will be released to community supervision, do you have any suggestions for special conditions of release (see attachment)?
• Would you like to limit the offender’s capacity to respond to your victim impact statement, or to you personally in the parole hearing?
• Would you like the opportunity to receive an apology?
• Do you have any desire to meet with your offender face-to-face in a safe and secure environment, facilitated by a trained mediator, in a victim/offender dialogue session either prior to or following the parole hearing?
• Would you like to be informed of the paroling authority’s decision, and how that decision was made?
• Is there any other information you feel would help the parole board make its decision, or any information you need to facilitate your victim impact statement preparation and delivery?
6. Other Information That the Court Considers in Adjudication Decisions (for juvenile cases)
The following considerations are important to the court, and are all helpful in developing a profile of the youthful offender, and what may or may not be an appropriate disposition in a particular case.
• Victim impact statement.
• Nature of the offense and extent of the juvenile’s involvement.
• Age of both the juvenile and the victim(s).
• Educational records of the juvenile.
• Work record of the juvenile.
• Juvenile’s support system (family, close friends [both adult and peers], any religious affiliation, any other group affiliations, school, and work).
• Juvenile’s health (mental health, physical health, substance use/abuse)
• Juvenile’s attitude (toward this offense and victim[s], and toward his/her community)
• Offender’s prior involvement with the juvenile justice system.
SAMPLE CONDITIONS OF SUPERVISION RELEVANT TO CRIME VICTIMS
• Release of information relevant to conditions of supervision and/or violations of such conditions to the victim, upon request from the victim.
• Obey all laws.
• Cannot possess weapons.
• Participate in any offense-specific treatment program deemed appropriate by the supervising agency, with victim input (i.e., substance abuse treatment, sex offender treatment, etc.)
• Participate in victim/offender programming that reinforces offender accountability, such as victim awareness classes.
• Consider participation in victim/offender programming, upon request from the victim, that involves direct contact with the victim, such as dialogue or family group conferencing (this condition should always be voluntary on the part of the offender).
• Upon request from the victim, no contact with the victim, his or her family, and others designated by the victim..
• Restrictions on movement and location (specifically those that involve contact with potentially vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly persons, or persons with disabilities).
• Make full restitution to the victim(s).
• If there is no restitution order, be provided with the opportunity to make voluntary restitution to the victim(s) or a victim assistance program designated by the victim.
• Pay fines and fees that support victim assistance programs, including victim compensation.
• Submit to warrantless search and seizure.
• Do not use alcohol and/or other drugs.
• Submit to random alcohol and other drug tests.
• Pay for the cost of urinalysis.
• Submit to polygraphs.
• Perform restorative community service as recommended by the victim or victim surrogate (such as a victim assistance agency).
• No Internet access (or agreement to intensive monitoring of computer activities)
• Electronic monitoring.
• Intensive supervision.Additional Conditions for Inter-familial/Family Violence Cases*
1. No further abuse.
2. Pay child support and restitution.
3. Pay attorney fees for victims.
4. Abide by all court restrictions and directives.
5. Supervised child visitation and/or public drop-off/pick-up point.
6. Cooperation with child/adult protective services.
7. Release of information to third parties, as appropriate.* APPA. (1996). Intervening in Family Violence. Page 204. Lexington, KY: American Probation and Parole Association.
Sample Victim Impact Statement Form
VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT *
1. Please describe how this offense has affected you and your family.
2. What was the emotional impact of this crime on you and your family?
3. What was the financial impact of this crime on you and your family?
(NOTE: ADD “PHYSICAL IMPACT” FOR PERSONAL CRIMES.)
4. What concerns do you have, in any, about your safety and security?
5. What do you want to happen now?
6. Would you like an opportunity to participate in victim/offender programming (such as mediation/dialogue or victim impact panels) that can help hold the offender accountable for his/her actions? (NOTE: Only utilize this question if such programs are in place, and ensure that the victim has written resources that fully describe such programs)
7. If community service is recommended as part of the disposition or sentence, do you have a favorite charity or cause you’d like to recommend as a placement?
8. Is there any other information you would like to share with the court regarding the offense, and how it affected you and your family?
____ Please check here if you would like to be notified about the status and outcome of this case.
* Allow as much space as is needed to complete the victim impact statement.
Documenting Losses for Victim Restitution
To ensure accurate and complete restitution orders, you are required to document your losses in writing for the court or paroling authority. The following considerations can help you document your out-of-pocket expenses and projected future expenses:
∙ Employer statements (letters or affidavits) that document unpaid time off from work you took as a result of injuries from the crime, or involvement in justice processes.
∙ Documentation of any workers compensation claims submitted and/or claims payments received.
∙ Copies of bills for services directly related to your financial recovery from the crime.
∙ Any receipts for items or services.
∙ Documentation that estimates the value of stolen property.
∙ Photos of valuables that were stolen.
∙ Copies of any documentation often provided by local law enforcement agencies (i.e. records of serial numbers, photos, etc.) that are intended to aid you in the recovery of stolen property.
∙ Any law enforcement records that indicate the status of your stolen property (i.e. property recovered, recovered but damaged, etc.)
∙ Copies of your applications to and/or copies of checks received from the state victim compensation fund.
∙ Copies of insurance claims and related correspondence between you and your insurance company, as well as copies of any checks you have received to cover losses.
Immediate Losses
During the presentence investigation, you should be asked to report information about your losses by completing or updating a financial worksheet, and providing documentation as described above.
The range of these losses can include the following:
Medical Care
∙ Emergency transportation to the hospital.
∙ Rape kit examinations that are not immediately paid by a third party.
∙ All expenses related to the hospital stay, including the room, laboratory tests, medications, x-rays, HIV testing in cases involving the exchange of bodily fluids, and medical supplies.∙ Expenses for care provided by physicians (both inpatient and outpatient) medication and medical supplies.
∙ Fees for physical or occupational therapy.
∙ Replacement of eyeglasses, hearing aids, or other sensory aid items damaged, destroyed or stolen.
∙ Rental and related costs for equipment used for any physical restoration, i.e. wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, special beds, crutches, etc.
Mental Health Services
∙ Fees for counseling or therapy for you and your family members.
∙ Any costs incurred as a result of your participation in support or therapy groups.
∙ Expenses for medications that doctors may prescribe to help ease your trauma following the crime.
Time Off From Work
∙ To repair damage following property crimes.
∙ To attend or participate in court or parole proceedings.
∙ To attend doctors’ appointments for injuries or mental health needs directly resulting from the crime.
Other Expenses
∙ Crime scene cleanup.
∙ Costs of replacing locks, changing security devices, etc.
∙ Expenses related to child or elder care when you have to testify in court.
∙ Relocation expenses.
∙ Fees incurred in changing banking or credit card accounts.
Projected Expenses
Victimization often results in injuries or losses that are long term in nature. While it is not possible to accurately document such projected expenses, it is possible to document expert opinions as to future financial obligations you might incur as a direct result of the crime.
You should be advised to seek documentation (a letter or affidavit) from professionals who are providing you with medical or mental health services that offers an estimate of your future treatment needs, as well as related expenses. Such costs can include:
∙ Long-term medical treatment.
∙ Physical or occupational rehabilitation or therapy.
∙ Mental health counseling or therapy.
∙ Time that must be taken off from work to receive any of the above services.
The justice professional responsible for assessing your restitution needs should provide this documentation to the court or paroling authority.
Seymour, A. (1997) . “Victim Restitution” chapter of Promising Practices and Strategies for Victim Services in Corrections. Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice: Washington, D.C.
Integrating Victim Impact Statement Issues into Offender Casework
This document is for offender case management, and should not be included in VIS information provided to the victim.
In 1999, the California Youth Authority developed a “checklist” for utilizing victim information – much of which can be elicited from VIS – in casework with juvenile offenders. Such information should only be utilized with express permission from victims, who are often willing to have their VIS information used to help hold their offenders accountable for their actions.
• Compare the offender’s version of the offense with the victim’s statement and other information in the pre-sentence investigation report.
• What information is the offender omitting?
• What information does the offender need to learn about the impact of the crime on the victim?
• Was the victim physically injured?
• Did the victim require medical attention, counseling or hospitalization?
• Is the victim afraid, or have any concerns for his/her safety and security?
• Is the offender aware of his/her primary victim? Secondary victims? Others who may have been affected by the offense?
• What issues do you believe the victim would like to have the offender address?
• What behavior(s) would the victim want the offender to change?
• Keep the offender focused on the ways victims are affected – financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
• Educate offenders about the “longevity” of the impact of crime on victims and the community.
• Focus on what they are responsible for; and to whom they are accountable.
• Is the offender verbally and/or physically harming others?
• Is the offender’s behavior indirectly a continuation of disregard for the rights of others?
• Does the offender owe the victim restitution?
• How can the offender be reminded of these obligations?
• Does the offender understand the purpose and value of restitution?
• Remind the offender that he/she can pay voluntary restitution.
• Remind offenders of the importance and value of community service and “giving back.”
• Encourage community service to be served in a way that heals the harm to the community affected by the crime.
• Encourage the offender to write a letter of apology that addresses the fact that the offender recognizes the impact the crime has had on the victim (such letters should only be given to the victim if it is desired; otherwise, it can be maintained in the offender’s case file).
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April 2, 2011