Hon George Cash asks about the number and reasons for limited use of Victim Impact Statements in WA courts. The Department of Justice states data on submission numbers is unavailable and suggests several reasons for limited use.

AnsweredQoN 2103Legislative Council
Asked
22 June 2004
Portfolio
Justice

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Of those victims entitled to submit a Victim Impact Statement to a Court, what number actually submitted a statement in each of the past five years?
(2) What are the reasons for only limited use of the Victim Impact Statements by eligible persons?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
17 August 2004
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for Justice
Response time
56 days
The Department of Justice advise data relating to the number of Victim Impact Statements submitted is not available as court statistics refer only to offenders and not victims. (2) The Department of Justice advise reasons may include the judicial officer not being willing to adjourn sentencing while a victim's willingness to submit a Victim Impact Statement is ascertained; awareness by victims of their right to submit a statement; victims choosing not to submit a statement; and victims not being kept informed of the progress of the matter in court.
(2) The Department of Justice advise reasons may include the judicial officer not being willing to adjourn sentencing while a victim's willingness to submit a Victim Impact Statement is ascertained; awareness by victims of their right to submit a statement; victims choosing not to submit a statement; and victims not being kept informed of the progress of the matter in court.

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