Victim impact statements and victim restitution

A victim impact statement is a written statement that tells the court how a crime affected you. It answers questions like:

• How did the crime make you feel?
• How did it affect you emotionally?
• How did it affect the way you feel about yourself?
• Why do you think this has happened to you or to your loved one?
• After the crime, how did you respond? What did you do? How did other people respond?
• What went through your mind?
• After this crime happened, how did you change your relationship with the accused person?
• What did you do to resist the crime?
• Did you make any lasting decisions about the person you want to be after this crime? How has that worked out for you?

When you report a crime to the RCMP, they will give you an NWT victim impact statement form and guide. Done properly, your victim impact statement will give you a voice in court at the sentencing hearing.

These forms can be completed electronically, but must be printed out and mailed to the NWT Court Registry. Restitution statements need to be returned to the RCMP.

To get help with a victim impact statement, contact your local Victim Services program.