European criminologists and policymakers regularly look to the United States for new and innovative ideas on how to handle crime and victimization. The victim impact statements are a good example of the different approaches followed in Europe and the United States. The victim impact statement is an American invention. At first, the victim impact statements were not embraced in Europe. However, in the last few years, there has been a major shift in opinion and European victim policy with respect to victim impact statements increasingly resembles that of the United States. This article examines the dramatic change in policy and whether the introduction of victim impact statements in Europe is an example of good practice. The article begins with a brief description of victim impact statements followed by a discussion of victims’ needs. Next, the role of victims in the common law and civil legal traditions are addressed and the advantages and limitations of victim impact statements for victims within these systems are considered. The article concludes with an examination of the adaptation of this common law model in Europe. References