TABLE 16: OBSTACLES OR PROBLEMS WITH VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS BASE: RESPONDENTS WHO BELIEVE THERE ARE OBSTACLES OR PROBLEMS WITH VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS
Main Reasons Cited:
Victim Services (n=105)
Crown Attorneys (n=90)
Defence Counsel (n=147)
Police (n=128)
Inappropriate or irrelevant material
--
43%
31%
--
Contain inflammatory or prejudicial claims
--
--
18%
--
Inject emotion into the process
--
--
13%
--
Difficulties preparing statement or insufficient assistance
32%
--
--
--
Lack of awareness or information
17%
--
--
2%
Defence counsel objections or cross-examination
16%
18%
--
21%
Difficult to challenge
--
--
10%
--
Contradict previous statement
--
--
8%
--
Delays in court proceedings
--
11%
3%
--
Literacy or language barriers
30%
10%
--
16%
Victim disinterest or fear or reluctance on part of victim
5%
6%
--
13%
Time constraints
16%
7%
--
21%
Detracts from sentencing guidelines
--
--
14%
--
Victims are coached
--
--
5%
--
Are given too much weight in sentencing
--
--
3%
--
Perception that is not considered
8%
--
--
12%
Crown Attorney or judicial reluctance
10%
--
--
8%
Lack of awareness by criminal justice professionals