Research on Public Attitudes Towards Crime Policy in Holland - A Summary of Recent Research Findings

• NCJ Number: 82323
• Author(s): J J M vanDijk
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: Netherlands Ministry of Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands
• Note: Paper for the European Committee on Crime Problems, March 23, 1981 - Report number 44

Annotation

The results of surveys conducted between 1974 and 1980 on public attitudes towards crime and crime policy in the Netherlands are summarized in order to offer guidance to policymakers and judges.

Abstract

The Netherlands' relatively nonrepressive crime policy is actively supported by 20 or 30 percent of the population (opponents of repressive justice). Another 50 to 60 percent of the population is not opposed to this policy because they are equally in favor of both repressive and preventive measures (passive supporters). About 20 to 30 percent of the population rejects the current policies because they are advocates of a more repressive approach. Recent increases in the crime rate and the fear of crime appear not to have generated significant opposition toward the past liberal crime policies. Persons who feel personally threatened by crime tend to prefer preventive measures to more severe punishment even more than noncommitted citizens. Thus, the Government does not have to back away from its liberal crime policies but should sponsor crime prevention campaigns and victim support projects will probably not satisfy the minority of repression-advocates who will probably reject any crime policy as being too soft. Tables, 12 references, and footnotes are included.