Multi-Site Survey of Victims of Crime and Criminal Justice Professionals across Canada
TABLE 70: OBSTACLES OR PROBLEMS WTH 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 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
4% |
Other |
12% |
13% |
13% |
6% |
No response |
-- |
4% |
5% |
9% |
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