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Advice for victims: How to make a victim personal statement

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Who will see my victim personal statement?
The statement will become part of the case papers for the crime, which means that it will be seen by everybody involved in your case should it come to court - namely the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the magistrates or judges in court and the defence. The latter means the defendant may also see what you have written.

A victim personal statement is not a sentencing tool. It is not a victim impact statement, as seen in the USA. You should therefore not include your personal opinion as to how the offender should be punished, as the court will not consider this. The court may however use the information you provide in your personal statement when deciding if a defendant should be given bail.

How can I make my personal victim statement?
In the vast majority of cases, the victim personal statement will be taken by the police. You should be able to make a victim personal statement if you have already made your witness statement (also known as an 'evidential statement'). The police officer/s dealing with your case should ask you whether you would like to fill in a personal victim statement when you have finished filling in the witness statement. All personal victims of crime, or of serious road traffic incidents, should be offered the chance to make the statement.

Note: A child or vulnerable adult can allow their parent or carer to make the victim personal statement for them.

What if I want to update it?
Once you have made a statement, you cannot withdraw or change it. However, you can always make another statement that clears up or changes something that you said in an earlier statement. You can update your personal statement at any point before the case gets to court. The police should give you the name and details of who to contact in future should you wish to do this.

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