NCJ Number
146995
Journal
Justice Research Notes Issue: 1 Dated: (November 1990) Pages: 1-8
Date Published
1993
Length
8 pages
Annotation
An analysis of five demonstration projects in Canada that used victim impact statements (VIS) revealed that an overwhelming majority of victims found the experience of competing a statement to be positive and would participate again if victimized.
Abstract
Findings also revealed that victims do not use the VIS as a retributive tool. The statements are not vengeful in nature and do not duplicate existing information. However, completing a statement does not necessarily lead to greater victim satisfaction with the criminal justice system, nor does it increase the willingness of victims to cooperate with the system in the future. Completing a statement does not, by itself, make the victims feel better about how the system is handling their case. They want to be informed about the progress of their case and they want information on how the criminal justice system operates. Because very few statements were actually used in court, the findings that pertain to the impact of the statements on the system and the victim are preliminary. However, these findings and the recent criminal code change allowing the introduction of the VIS in the sentencing courts will encourage criminal justice officials to promote the use of the VIS.