The Victim Personal Statement
The chance of becoming a victim of crime is at its lowest in 25 years, but this does not make the experience any less traumatic should the worst happen.
Crime affects different people in different ways, but one thing that remains the same is the opportunity to make a victim personal statement.
The Victim Personal Statement (VPS) was introduced by the Home Office in 2001 to give victims of crime the opportunity to explain how they have been affected by the crime and what impact it has had on their lives, whether that be financially, emotionally or physically.
Should you become a victim of crime, the police officer assigned to your case will offer you the chance to submit a VPS. It is optional and victims are under no obligation to do so, but it gives the victim the opportunity to put across their side of the story. When completed, the VPS will become part of the case papers and will be seen by the defendant and his/her legal team, the police, Crown Prosecution Service, magistrates and judges and the information contained in the statement may be used when deciding whether the defendant should be granted bail.
Susan Turner manages Kent Police’s Witness Care Unit in Maidstone. She explained: “We endorse the use of the Victim Personal Statement because it is the victim’s opportunity to have their voice heard. The victim doesn’t get a chance when giving evidence to explain how the crime has affected them but this is what the VPS does. The contents of the VPS won’t have an impact on the sentence handed down to the defendant but it does mean that the victim can let everyone know how they have been affected.”
The VPS can be made at any point of the proceedings prior to the sentence so if a victim does not submit the statement straight away, they still have the opportunity to at a later date.
Kate Rushbrook, East Kent District Crown Prosecutor, chairs the Kent Criminal Justice Board’s victims and witnesses sub group. She summed up: “As part of its business plan for 09/10, the CPS has a strategic objective to focus our support for victims and witnesses and communities. The Victim Personal Statement ensures that the victim’s voice is heard in court and CPS prosecutors will present it. I have asked all our prosecutors and legal staff to work closely with the police and obtain high quality personal statements whenever possible.”