What is a victim impact statement?

A victim impact statement is a detailed narrative outlining how a crime has personally affected the victim. It provides insight into the emotional, psychological, and financial toll that the crime has taken on the individual. This statement is often presented during sentencing phases in court, allowing the judge and jury to understand the broader implications of the crime beyond the legal definitions. It plays a crucial role in the criminal justice process by giving victims a voice and making the impact of the crime more tangible for all involved.

The other options do not accurately represent what a victim impact statement entails. Minimizing the crime's impact, filing a document by the defendant, or merely describing the crime committed misses the essential focus of the victim's personal experience and sufferings resulting from the crime. Thus, the emphasis on the personal effects of the crime is what makes the correct answer significant in the context of understanding victimology and the rights of crime victims in the legal system.