Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 7 April 2026
Victim Impact Statements in South Africa: Evaluating Their Role in Sentencing and
Victim Participation
1. Introduction
Victim impact statements form part of the criminal justice process and give victims a chance
to explain how a crime has affected their lives before sentencing. Victim impact and harm
refer to the physical injury, emotional trauma, social disruption, and financial loss caused by
the offence (CMY3705 Study Guide 2019). Victims’ needs and rights in practice relate to fair
treatment, respect, information, and participation in legal processes. Secondary victimisation
refers to further harm experienced through insensitive treatment by justice officials or poor
procedures. Victim participation beyond sentencing includes involvement in processes such
as parole decisions and post sentencing communication. Victim agency and meaning
making refer to the ability of victims to express their experiences in their own voice and
regain a sense of control. In South Africa, the use of victim impact statements aims to
support these elements, yet gaps in implementation may limit their effectiveness in fully
representing the victim’s experience (CMY3705 Study Guide 2019).
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