Fiona Leverick, James Chalmers and Peter Duff
University of Aberdeen School of Law
ISBN 978 0 7559 6568 7
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CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Background to the Research
Background to the Pilot Victim Statement Schemes
Research Aims
A Note on Terminology
CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODS
Collection and Analysis of Statistical Data
Interviews with Statement Makers and Non-Statement Makers
Interviews with Criminal Justice Personnel
CHAPTER 3: VICTIM STATEMENT SCHEMES IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS
The Administration of Victim Statement Schemes
Response Rates
CHAPTER 4: RESPONSE RATES
Response Rates Since the Commencement of the Pilots
Response Rates Over Time
Response Rates by Draft of Letter
Response Rates by Offence Category, Gender and Age
Summary of Analysis of Response Rates
CHAPTER 5: CASE OUTCOME ANALYSIS
Analysis of Outcomes
Analysis of Disposals
CHAPTER 6: INTERVIEWS WITH STATEMENT MAKERS AND NON-STATEMENT MAKERS
Effect of the Crime on Victims
Comprehension of the Victim Statement Scheme
Recall and Comprehensibility of the Scheme Literature
Reasons for Making a Victim Statement
Experience of Making the Victim Statement
Reasons for Not Making a Victim Statement
General Perceptions of the Criminal Justice System
Suggested Improvements to the Victim Statement Scheme
Summary of Main Findings from the Interviews
CHAPTER 7: INTERVIEWS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL
Take-up Rates
Workloads and Delay
The Information Provided
Effect on Sentencing and Other Decisions
Fairness to the Accused
The Format of the Scheme
The Future
CHAPTER 8: VICTIM STATEMENT CONTENT ANALYSIS
The Nature of the Information Provided
Recurrent Themes
General Observations
CHAPTER 9: ANALYSIS OF 'LOST CASES'
CHAPTER 10: ANALYSIS OF PRESCRIBED OFFENCES
CHAPTER 11: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Summary of Findings
Overall Conclusions
REFERENCES
ANNEX 1: LETTER SENT TO VICTIMS PRE JULY 2004
ANNEX 2: LETTER SENT TO VICTIMS POST JULY 2004
ANNEX 3: VICTIM STATEMENT FORM
ANNEX 4: TELEPHONE INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE
ANNEX 5: SAMPLE DETAILS FOR TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS
ANNEX 6: DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS WITH NONSTATEMENT MAKERS
ANNEX 7: DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS WITH STATEMENT MAKERS
ANNEX 8: SAMPLE DETAILS FOR IN-DEPTH FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEWS
ANNEX 9: SAMPLE INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR INTERVIEWS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTITIONERS
ANNEX 10: OPINION OF SHERIFF STODDART IN HM ADVOCATE v JM
The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and
do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.
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