Victim video statements

Question 1

Can a child (<18 years) do a VVS?

Answer 1

No, must be written

Question 2

Can you use a VVS for all victim statements?

Answer 2

No, only family harm incidents (evidence regulations act 2007)

Question 3

Can you use a family member as a witness?

Answer 3

No, unless they are required under the evidence regulations act section 7 where any interpreter present promising to accurately completely translate the words of the witness and the family member is the best person to translate for the victim

Question 4

Can you take a VVS in the case of a sexual allegation?

Answer 4

No

Question 5

How long can we wait to take a VVS?

Answer 5

Max of 2 weeks

Question 6

Can you get a VVS from someone who is intoxicated or emotionally unfit (I.e keeps crying)?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

Can you include in a VVS complicated histories I.e previous criminal history

Answer 7

No, don’t want to convict on reputation, have yo convict on evidence

Question 8

What are the three things to prove is a VVS?

Answer 8

• elements of the offence
• identity of the offender
• relationship between victim and offender to prove it is a family harm incident and therefore a VVS can be used as evidence