The Use of Victim Video Statements in Family Violence Cases Increases the Rate of Early Guilty Pleas

Abstract

A natural experiment is used to determine the effect of victim video statements (VVS) on the rate of early guilty pleas in cases of domestic violence. Participants were part of a trial conducted in 2017-2018 by New Zealand Police, in Counties Manukau District, South Auckland. Cases that met the eligibility criteria but did not result in a VVS formed the control group with written statements taken. Analyses were restricted to cases that proceeded to a court hearing (VVS group: n = 168, control group: n = 108). The key question was whether taking a VVS would increase the rate of early guilty pleas. A logistic regression model controlled two additional factors: (a) being bailed or remanded and (b) the seriousness of charges. VVS cases resulted in 44% early guilty pleas compared with 30% for those with written statements. VVS have a statistically significant increase in the odds of making a guilty plea, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.02, 3.06], when controlling for the other factors. The results indicate that VVS can be used to reduce demand pressure on the criminal justice system. The findings are considered in terms of the complex relationship between offenders and victims that commonly results in the retraction of written statements.