Victim Personal Statement

If you have experienced crime, you’re able to make something called a Victim Personal Statement (VPS).

A VPS gives you the opportunity to explain in your own words the impact the crime has had on you and your family.

Sometimes called a Victim Impact Statement, it’s your chance to have your voice heard if someone is found guilty of, or pleads guilty to, a crime against you.

It will be considered by all criminal justice agencies involved in the case and helps people to understand how the crime has affected you and what additional support you may need.

This page provides some information about who can make a VPS and guidance on what to include.

Who can make a VPS?

Your right to make a Victim Personal Statement is set out in the Victims’ Code.

Parents or carers of vulnerable adults or victims under the age of 18 also have the right to make a statement (unless the court decides it’s not in the best interest of the vulnerable adult or child). Young people under 18 can make their own statement if they’re able to.

Close family members of a victim who died because of a crime are also entitled to make a VPS.

How your statement might be used in court proceedings

Once you’ve made your VPS it will be shared with the Crown Prosecution Service. It’s important to know, if the case reaches court, it will become part of the case papers and can be seen by everyone involved in the case.

It will be seen by the defence, and you may be asked questions about your VPS during the trial.

When you make your VPS, you will be asked whether you would like to read it out in court, or if you would like someone else to read it aloud on your behalf.

The judge or magistrate will decide if you’re able to read out your statement, have it played (if it’s recorded) or read aloud for you. They’ll decide what sections will be heard, and who will read it, but they’ll take your preference into account.

If the VPS is read out in court, it could be reported on in the media.

Making a VPS for the Parole Board

This is different to making a VPS for court proceedings.

If you have joined the Victim Contact Scheme, you will be contacted if the Parole Board is considering whether to release an offender or move them to open prison conditions near the end of their minimum sentence.

If this is the case, you will have the chance to write a VPS for the Parole Board.

This is an opportunity to explain how the crime you experienced has affected you, and how you may be impacted by the offender’s potential release or change of custodial conditions.

The statement will not directly change the Parole Board’s decision, but it does allow you to put forward your views on the licence conditions imposed.

You can find out more information about making a VPS for the Parole Board on the GOV.UK website.