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Home: Survivors: Survivors Have Your Say: Writing a protest letter

From: Ms Smith
22 Main street
Melbourne 3000
sally@hotmail.com

To: Ms Minister
Victim Impact Statement Review Panel
22 Parliament house
Melbourne 3000

1 January 2008

Dear Ms Minister,

Re: Victim Impact Statements
I am writing to you because you are chairing the VIS review panel. At the present time, I believe that victims of crime have little or no say in the sentencing of their attackers. I think the best way to do this is with a victim impact statement to be read out in court.

Many countries have VIS and both victims and people in the judiciary find them very helpful. A survey conducted recently by SECASA found that most victims were empowered by the experience (see www.secasa.com.au).

I would like you to strongly recommend that all victims be allowed the opportunity to make a statement on the impact of the crime on their lives. I would like you to recommend that VIS be read out prior to sentencing.

As I feel very strongly that the introduction of a system of VIS is essential, is there anyone else you could recommend I write to or other action you think would assist in this process?

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely

Sally Smith

Sponsor

SECASA

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