NCJ Number
167630
Date Published
1996
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Data from the International Crime (Victim) Surveys conducted in more than 40 countries reveal that victimization is a fairly universal experience for those living in big cities anywhere in the world and that the public in high-crime areas does not always call for harsher punishment in response to increased crime rates and fear of crime.
Abstract
The survey was carried out in 1988, 1992, or both in 41 countries, and in 1996 in 30 countries. Sample sizes varied from 1,000 in developing countries to 2,000 in most other countries. The data were aggregated into rates for six global regions, the New World, Western Europe, ex-communist Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. Results revealed that a majority of all families in urban areas are victimized at least once in the course of 5 years. The overall 5-year victimization rate was highest in Africa, where three of every four citizens were victimized. In Asia less than half the population was victimized. Approximately 40 percent of all city dwellers in the world feel vulnerable to burglary and street crime. Crime prevention measures were most prevalent in the New World and African cities. Forty-three percent of participants favor imprisonment of offenders; community service orders received the most support in Western countries. Those most fearful of crime and victims in general are not more in favor of a prison sentence than are nonvictims. Findings support the theory that crime rates are jointly determined by the presence of motivated offenders and the provision of criminal opportunities by potential victims. Tables, footnotes, and appended tables