, CMY3705 ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2026
DUE DATE: 7 APRIL 2026
INTRODUCTION
Victim Impact Statements (VIS) have emerged globally as a mechanism for ensuring
victims’ voices are heard in criminal justice processes. In South Africa, VIS are designed
to allow victims and their families to describe the personal consequences of crime —
including psychological, physical, social, and economic harms — prior to sentencing (Van
der Merwe, 2015). The use of VIS reflects a broader shift toward victim- centred justice,
grounded in international human rights norms that recognise victims’ rights to
participation, dignity, and reparation (Van der Spuy, 2010). Despite progressive policy
frameworks, implementation in practice is uneven, and numerous procedural and
structural barriers influence how effectively VIS enable victims to communicate harm
and meaningfully inform sentencing outcomes.
The effectiveness of VIS in South African courts must be analysed through multiple
lenses: the recognition of victims’ harm, the realisation of victims’ needs and rights, the
risk of secondary victimisation, the nature of victim participation beyond sentencing,
and the role of victims’ agency and meaning- making in the justice process (Duncan &
Williams, 2007; Dhami & Ayres, 2006; Van der Merwe, 2015).
VICTIM IMPACT AND HARM
Victim impact refers to the tangible and intangible consequences of crime on victims’
lives. These include physical injury, psychological trauma, financial loss, disruption of
social relationships, and long- term emotional distress (Parmentier & Van Dijk, 2008). VIS
DUE DATE: 7 APRIL 2026
INTRODUCTION
Victim Impact Statements (VIS) have emerged globally as a mechanism for ensuring
victims’ voices are heard in criminal justice processes. In South Africa, VIS are designed
to allow victims and their families to describe the personal consequences of crime —
including psychological, physical, social, and economic harms — prior to sentencing (Van
der Merwe, 2015). The use of VIS reflects a broader shift toward victim- centred justice,
grounded in international human rights norms that recognise victims’ rights to
participation, dignity, and reparation (Van der Spuy, 2010). Despite progressive policy
frameworks, implementation in practice is uneven, and numerous procedural and
structural barriers influence how effectively VIS enable victims to communicate harm
and meaningfully inform sentencing outcomes.
The effectiveness of VIS in South African courts must be analysed through multiple
lenses: the recognition of victims’ harm, the realisation of victims’ needs and rights, the
risk of secondary victimisation, the nature of victim participation beyond sentencing,
and the role of victims’ agency and meaning- making in the justice process (Duncan &
Williams, 2007; Dhami & Ayres, 2006; Van der Merwe, 2015).
VICTIM IMPACT AND HARM
Victim impact refers to the tangible and intangible consequences of crime on victims’
lives. These include physical injury, psychological trauma, financial loss, disruption of
social relationships, and long- term emotional distress (Parmentier & Van Dijk, 2008). VIS
