ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the issues that surround victim impact statements (VIS) and discusses the intent of VIS, and the arguments both for and against its continued use in courts. The primary reasons for incorporating VISs into the criminal justice system are to provide a balanced picture of both offender and victim when determining the most appropriate sentence for the offender; and, increase compensation and restitution orders payable to victims. Irrespective of the legal advocacy VISs have received, their use continues to be the subject of debate. The most noted reason against the use of VISs is their potential influence on making sentencing decisions more punitive. In addition to the argument that allowing victims to detail the impact of their victimization balances treatment options and rights awarded to offenders and not to victims, VISs are supposed to have "therapeutic" benefits and contribute to the overall recovery of victims.
