Advice for victims: How to make a victim personal statement

What is it, who can make it and what will it do? The following advice is from the Home Office

Your questions answered

What is a victim personal statement?

What should I put in my statement?

Who will see my statement?

How do I make my statement?

How do I update my statement?

What is a victim personal statement?
The victim personal statement scheme first started in October 2001, following the 1996 Victims Charter, and was designed to give victims a more formal opportunity to say how they have been affected by crime.

If you are a victim of crime, a victim personal statement gives you the chance to expand on the information you have already given to the police in your witness statement. In it you can tell the police of any support you may need and how the crime may have affected you physically, emotionally or financially (see below). The statement is in addition to existing procedures and is not a substitute for them.

You do not have to make a victim personal statement if you do not wish. It is entirely optional and you can always ask to complete one later, should you wish. The Home Office pledges to follow up the case whether you make such a statement or not.

What should I put in my statement?
You can put as much or as little in your statement as you wish. You may, however, want to use your victim personal statement to tell the police:

  • If you want to be told about the progress of your case
  • If you would like extra support (particularly if you are appearing as a witness at a trial)
  • If you feel vulnerable or intimidated
  • If you are worried about the offender being given bail (for example, if the offender knows who you are)
  • How the crime has affected you if you feel you were victimised because of your faith, cultural background, disability or race
  • If the crime has caused, or made worse, any medical or social problems (e.g. marital problems)
  • If you plan to claim compensation from the offender for any injury, loss or damage
  • Anything else you think might be helpful or relevant

    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.