NCJ Number
96387
Journal
Impact Issue: 2 Dated: (1984) Pages: 36-50
Date Published
1984
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A victimization survey conducted in seven major urban centers (Greater Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax-Dartmouth, and St. John's) is discussed.
Abstract
During January and February of 1982, telephone interviews were conducted with 4,975,900 persons aged 16 or older. Information was sought on eight categories of crime: sexual assault, robbery, assault, break and enter, motor vehicle theft, theft of household property, theft of personal property, and vandalism. During 1981, more than 700,000 personal victimizations occurred for people over 16; almost 900,000 household victimizations took place in the cities surveyed, but fewer than 42 percent of these incidents were reported to police. The gross financial costs to victims of crime in these cities amounted to $211,500,000 in unrecovered property and cash; $41,900,000 in damage to property; and an additional $7,000,000 in associated medical expenses and lost wages. Victims reported an additional $170,000,000 paid out to them through private insurance. Thus, the total real cost of crime amounted to more than $431,000,000 in the seven cities for a single year. Motor vehicle theft produced the largest mean gross loss; however, because recovery was high, it did not produce the greatest mean net loss -- break and enter did. Further, victims paid emotional costs as well, and many encountered inconvenience and difficulties in making arrangements to attend court. Criminal court sanctions which recognize victims' needs are being actively explored, and victim protection and support programs are increasing. Eleven tables are included.