NCJ Number
97119
Date Published
1985
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Victimization data from the National Crime Survey (1978-1982) was used to determine the annual risk of being the victim of violent crime (rape, robbery, and assault).
Abstract
The proportion of the population victimized was determined by dividing the total number of distinct crime victims (excluding double counts) in a given year by the size of the populations. Using this Crime Risk Index, it was found that an estimated 3.2 percent of the population were the victims of violent in crime in 1982. Assault was the most frequent crime (2.5 percent of the population), followed by robbery (.7 percent), and rape (.07 percent). Males and blacks were more likely to be victimized than were females and whites. The young were more likely to be victimized, with those in the three youngest age groups (12 to 24) being more likely to be victimized than any of the three oldest age groups (35 to 65 and above). For both blacks and whites, the lower the income the greater the likelihood of victimization. For both males and females, married persons were less likely to be the victims of violent crime than were the never married, separated, and divorced. The proportion of the population victimized by violent crime remained fairly constant from 1978 to 1982. This was true for males and females and for blacks and whites. This fairly constant level of victimization was true for the crimes when examined separately, with the exception of robbery which showed a significant increase over time. While not included in the analysis, statistics on homicide show a lifetime risk of victimization of 1 out of 133 to 153. Tables provide detailed data on the proportion of the population victimized by each crime for 1982, broken down by sex, race, age, marital status, and family income, as well as the Crime Risk Index for each crime for 1978 to 1982. Also included is a listing of Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletins.