NCJ Number
114911
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1988) Pages: 289-302
Date Published
1988
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Most people who fail to report their victimizations to the police report either that the offense was not serious enough to warrant official attention or that nothing could be done.
Abstract
A small proportion of victims states that they did not report because of fear of reprisal. Based on National Crime Panel victimization data, the offense and personal characteristics of these victims were contrasted with the total victim and nonreporting victim populations. Results indicate that several offense and personal characteristics are related to nonreporting because of fear of reprisal. Nonreporting for fear of reprisal was more common among women than men, among the unmarried, and among those without a high school diploma. Victims earning less than $3,000 per year and those between 12 and 15 years old also were more likely targets of reprisal. Offense characteristics related to nonreporting for fear of reprisal included acquaintance with the offender, spouse as offender, serial victimizations, victimization in the home, incidents requiring medical treatment of the victim, and rape and domestic assault victimizations. 4 tables and 28 references. (Author abstract modified)