Diffusion of Victim Compensation in Canada

• NCJ Number: 94079
• Journal: Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1981) Pages: 75-82
• Author(s): W G Doerner; S S Silverman
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

This study found that Canadian provincial victim compensation statutes are similar and that the diffusion of these laws (the speed with which a jurisdiction adopted a victim compensation statute) is more a function of the state welfare philosophy than of the governmental role in police protection.

Abstract

A comparison of victim compensation laws across Canadian jurisdictions indicates that compensable acts, eligibility requirements, claim filing and processing, and conditions of payment are substantially the same across jurisdictions. Any differences are minor and do not influence the intent, scope, or direction of victim compensation programs. Victim compensation advocates view it as an extension of governmental police and welfare powers. Given these concepts, this study tested the following hypotheses: (1) as the violent crime rate increases, diffusion of victim compensation increases; (2) as the number of police per thousand population increases, diffusion of victim compensation increases; (3) as the percentage of individuals whose main source of income is government transfers increases, diffusion of victim compensation increases; (4) as population size increases, diffusion of victim compensation increases; (5) as median personal income increases, diffusion of victim compensation increases; and (6) as percent urban population increases, diffusion of victim compensation increases. Study results indicate that the diffusion of victim compensation laws is more a function of the state welfare philosophy than of the governmental role in police protection. Stepwise regression results show that the relative speed with which the Provinces adopted victim compensation statutes is an inverse function of welfare coverage. Provinces with relatively lower proportions of citizens receiving governmental subsidies are more likely to extend compensation benefits to violent crime victims. Variables which index social control functions are least important predictors. Results suggest the need for an analysis of legislator behavior to uncover subterranean patterns which influence voting behavior. Tabular data and references are provided.