The Statement

A VIS is an open letter to the judge from the victim or their loved one describing the physical, financial and emotional loss caused by a drunk driving crash. It is also the only opportunity victims have to address the judge and to tell him or her the impact the crime has had on their lives.

But the two most important aspects of a VIS are that they allow victims to be heard and to take part in the criminal justice system. All too often, victims feel isolated and powerless. By being allowed to write a VIS, and in some states read it aloud in court, the victim becomes part of the process. In doing so, the victims' emotions are validated.

In short, a VIS empowers victims.

Power of the Pen

All states allow the presentation of a written impact statement to the judge or to the court. And most victims find that just the act of writing a VIS is therapeutic.

While it takes immense courage and fortitude to put one's feelings on paper, writing a VIS is effective in providing victims focus and perspective on the impact the crime has had in their lives and on their grief. That clarity helps victims embrace their pain by seeing in black and white that their feelings of sorrow and anguish are appropriate and understandable.

Victims should, however, be patient in writing their statement because it can take several attempts to get the words just right. But a VIS is not about writing the perfect essay, it is about writing from the heart.

The Spoken Step

Another level of healing for victims is the opportunity to verbally express feelings of pain and loss. Many victims who are allowed to read their VIS in the courtroom feel it's cleansing and cathartic because they are able to speak out about the devastation they've experienced.

It also helps victims to give further meaning to their loved one's life because their words are potentially influencing how the offender will be punished. And regardless of the sentence, victims know that they did all that they could do to see that justice was served.

Despite the fact that victims are not allowed to directly address the offender, reading their statement in court helps to guarantee that the offender will have the opportunity to hear the tragic consequences of his or her actions. For victims, this helps take back some of the control the offender unjustly and abruptly took.

A Point in the Journey

Whether victims write or write and read their statements, a VIS offers those who are struggling to cope with the death or injury of a loved one help in their healing journeys.

The voice of the victim is the voice of someone speaking out and standing up for justice.

A Good Victim Impact Statement: