Victim's personal statement
In addition to giving a witness statement you can, if you want to, give a victim's personal statement. This allows you to include anything you have not said in your witness statement and could include the following:
- How the crime has affected you physically, emotionally or financially
- Whether you feel vulnerable or intimidated
- If you are worried about the defendant being given bail
- Whether you are considering claiming compensation
- Anything you think may be helpful or relevant
The statement can be made at the same time as your witness statement and can be added to at any point before the court hearing. It will become part of the papers the court sees; including; the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the defence, and the magistrates and judges at the courts. This will enable staff to give you help you throughout the case.
If you are a child or a vulnerable adult, your parent or carer can make the victim personal statement for you if you want them to.
If the case goes to trial, you could be asked questions about your statement in court. You could be asked about how the crime has affected you, or about any loss, injury or damage you have suffered.
Once you have made a statement, you can’t withdraw it or change it. However, you can always make another statement that clears up or changes something you said in an earlier statement.
