[needle]

Victim impact statements are also about giving victims a role in the criminal justice system. They have been described as an important part of the concept of restorative justice.

  Many victims report that VIS increased their satisfaction with the entire criminal justice system. Research by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD, 1994) found that 66 percent of victims were satisfied with the criminal justice system if they were given the opportunity to present written VIS, and 62 percent of victims were satisfied with the criminal justice system if they were given the opportunity to present oral VIS. Victim dissatisfaction with the criminal justice system increased to 75 percent when they were not allowed to submit written VIS, and to 78 percent when they were not allowed to present oral VIS.

A rich body of research concludes that two factors increase victims' overall satisfaction with the justice system and reduce victim trauma: (1) being taken seriously and being believed; and (2) being informed and involved in key justice proceedings related to their cases. VIS provide opportunities to fulfill both of these key elements that help victims reconstruct their lives in the aftermath of a crime.

http://www.nij.gov/topics/courts/restora...ments.aspx

The Brock Turner case seems to suggest that even if powerful and convincing, a victim impact statement may not do much to influence a judge when it comes to sentencing. I'd be open to hearing research on how such statements may affect juries.

In the Turner case, I'd bet that the young woman who wrote the statement felt a strong sense of satisfaction in collecting her thoughts and surely in the universal praise that her words have received since her words were published online.

[needle]

Victim impact statements are also about giving victims a role in the criminal justice system. They have been described as an important part of the concept of restorative justice.

  Many victims report that VIS increased their satisfaction with the entire criminal justice system. Research by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD, 1994) found that 66 percent of victims were satisfied with the criminal justice system if they were given the opportunity to present written VIS, and 62 percent of victims were satisfied with the criminal justice system if they were given the opportunity to present oral VIS. Victim dissatisfaction with the criminal justice system increased to 75 percent when they were not allowed to submit written VIS, and to 78 percent when they were not allowed to present oral VIS.

A rich body of research concludes that two factors increase victims' overall satisfaction with the justice system and reduce victim trauma: (1) being taken seriously and being believed; and (2) being informed and involved in key justice proceedings related to their cases. VIS provide opportunities to fulfill both of these key elements that help victims reconstruct their lives in the aftermath of a crime.

http://www.nij.gov/topics/courts/restora...ments.aspx

The Brock Turner case seems to suggest that even if powerful and convincing, a victim impact statement may not do much to influence a judge when it comes to sentencing. I'd be open to hearing research on how such statements may affect juries.

In the Turner case, I'd bet that the young woman who wrote the statement felt a strong sense of satisfaction in collecting her thoughts and surely in the universal praise that her words have received since her words were published online.