Victim personal statements

Hands writing letter (Photographer: Thomas Pullicino/istockphoto.com)

The victim personal statement is your formal opportunity to say how the crime has affected you.

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Anyone who reports a crime to the police can make a victim personal statement (VPS) if they want to. This is a chance for you to state 'for the record' how you feel affected by the crime. It's sometimes wrongly referred to as a victim impact statement - but this is an American term and the system it describes in the US is rather different.

The VPS is an official document that will become part of the file relating to your crime and will be seen by everyone involved in the case, including the court if the crime results in a trial. It's your formal opportunity to say what the impact of the crime has been and gives you a chance to tell the criminal justice agencies about any support you might need as well.

The statements must include a record your address and a number of personal details about your place and date of birth. The police will also ask whether you have any previous criminal convictions as part of taking your statement - this is a routine question that the courts may ask about any witness.