You’re likely going to be asked to provide a Victim Impact Statement
This is how you can make sure they know exactly how you feel.
If your case is really dangerous and the Prosecutor wants to file criminal Charges, they’re going to ask you to write a Victim Impact Statement. Let’s call it a VIS for short.
Victim Impact Statements are your voice in court
As hard as it might be to believe, sometimes young people who are abused aren’t asked to be a Witness in court. There are a lot of good reasons for that, but you deserve to be heard. A VIS is your opportunity to speak directly to a judge, a jury, and the Court.
Victim Impact Statements is a fancy way of saying “writing a letter”
Everything in court has to be written down. Even spoken words are Transcribed by a court reporter. This ensures every word is recorded and clear.
You can think of it kinda like writing something for English class or a message to a teacher.
You don’t have to read your letter aloud, but a judge will
The law says you have the right to be included during all public proceedings, including sentencing. And you have the right to speak up and be heard at sentencing.
That means you can read your letter aloud in court. Or, a parent or judge can read your letter aloud. All the lawyers, the Defendant, and everyone in court will hear you, even if you’re not the one reading it aloud.
Your Statement can influence a Judge’s sentencing
Judges have guidelines for how long they can put people in jail, on Probation, or other punishments. They don’t just make up a number.
So if a judge is allowed to sentence your abuser to, say, 10-20 years in jail, your VIS can (and frequently does!) help them justify longer sentences.
Your letter is really powerful!
Here’s what a Victim Impact Statement looks like
Your Honor,
My name is __________, and I am 15 years old. I am writing this statement to explain how the actions of this person affected my life. I want the court to understand what this has been like for me, even though it’s hard to talk about.
Since everything happened, my life has changed in ways I never thought it could. I don’t feel safe in my own home anymore, and I don’t trust the places that are supposed to feel safe. I used to be able to focus in school, hang out with my friends, and enjoy my hobbies, but now it feels like there’s this heavy weight on me all the time. It’s like I’m always expecting something bad to happen.
I experienced pain and injuries from the abuse. Some of them healed on the outside, but some still hurt sometimes or make certain movements uncomfortable. I’ve had headaches, stomach aches, and trouble sleeping. My doctor says these can happen because of stress and trauma.
I’ve been diagnosed with anxiety and PTSD. I have panic attacks, nightmares, and flashbacks that make my body feel like the abuse is happening all over again.
I’ve been going to therapy every week, and my therapist says it might take a long time before I feel safe again. I’m also seeing a doctor for stress-related health problems.
I want the court to know that even though I’m doing everything I can to move forward, what happened has changed my life forever. I’m trying to be strong, but this has affected me in more ways than people can see. I hope that by sharing this, you can understand the impact this crime has had on me.
Respectfully,
[Name]
Your Advocate can help you write your VIS
You don’t have to think of something from scratch if you don’t want to. Your Advocate at the Prosecutor’s Office probably has a template you can help fill in some blanks.
This is your time to tell everyone: How has this crime impacted your life? How have your feelings changed since the crime? Has your ability to relate to others changed?
