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Victim Interviewing and Personal Statement Writing (VPS/VIS, BIS)
Trauma‑Aware Victim Statement Training for Investigators and Enforcement Personnel
Developed for investigators and enforcement professionals involved in interviewing and preparing statements for criminal proceedings, this programme builds the complete skillset for drafting Victim Personal Statements (VPS) — also known as Victim Impact Statements (VIS) — and Impact Statements for Business (ISB/BIS) for use in sentencing.
Grounded in the Victims’ Code for England and Wales, you’ll learn how to engage victims with dignity and care, especially when discussing statements that can feel intrusive or re‑traumatising.
The course covers how to approach these conversations, even in the victim’s home.
With input from trauma‑informed therapists and trauma-aware practitioners, you’ll develop the person-centred approach to create psychological safety, gather accurate and emotionally faithful accounts, without minimum impact throughout the process. By the end, you’ll be able to produce victim statements that support justice while honouring the victim’s voice.
Course Overview
Additional Focus
Producing a persuasive, court‑ready statement is not just about legal accuracy — it’s about navigating human emotion under pressure. This course includes a reflective module co‑developed with psychologists and counsellors, exploring:
- How to build rapport and trust with victims in distress.
- Techniques for managing emotional interviews without re‑traumatising the individual.
- Recognising signs of trauma and adapting communication style accordingly.
- Balancing empathy with the need for clear, relevant, and admissible evidence.
By understanding the person as well as the process, practitioners can improve cooperation, capture fuller accounts, and produce statements that withstand scrutiny while honouring the victim’s dignity.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Explain the purpose and legal framework of Victim Personal, Victim Impact, and Business Impact Statements in the context of sentencing.
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Apply the rights and principles of the Victims’ Code when engaging with victims and witnesses.
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Plan and conduct structured, trauma‑aware interviews that elicit complete, accurate, and relevant information.
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Draft clear, concise, and defensible statements that reflect the victim’s voice and meet evidential standards.
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Link victim accounts to sentencing principles without overstepping evidential boundaries.
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Demonstrate professional communication behaviours that support clarity, cooperation, and procedural fairness in sensitive situations.
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Reflect on the psychological impact of the interview process and adapt practice to minimise harm while maximising evidential value.
Additional Focus
Learning Objectives
Course Overview
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