The ACCI saw victim impact statements as a possible part of the options open to a court of general jurisdiction. The Victorian government supported such statements and suggested that they demonstrated why only a skilled professional prosecutor should be permitted to bring an action for a breach.
Discussion
At present, not all courts can be presented with victim impact statements when hearing a prosecution for a serious breach of a duty. Although some older research suggested that such procedures may not significantly affect sentencing outcomes,357 modern practice supports this option. We note that there is international recognition of this process.358
We have spoken with persons who have suffered emotionally, socially and economically from the death of loved ones at work. We see benefits all round in involving victims of breaches more effectively in proceedings, but this step requires a supportive environment for the victims and it may be of limited value without such commitment by prosecutors and regulators.
