NCJ Number
219648
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2007 Pages: 179-200
Date Published
September 2007
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study highlights the problems with and implications of the way in which high-volume victims, repeat victims are handled in the production of United States annual crime estimates.
Abstract
The practice of excluding repeat victimization or series incidents in the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) victimization incidence rates is problematic. While there is a significant increase in victimizations when series incidents are counted as reported, these findings must be tempered by the increase in year-to-year estimate instability. Exclusion creates a larger and more serious error than inclusion. One possible solution is to count series incidents as one victimization. Another solution is to count series incidents as the actual number of victimizations reported by the respondent. However, a viable solution is to count the actual victimizations reported by series incidents and report both incidence and prevalence rates. This inclusion would present a more complete and accurate picture of victimization, and more importantly, of repeat victimization, than the incidence rate alone. Future research is recommended in the development of an improved understanding of the characteristics of those persons who suffer repeat victimization, and of series incidents in particular. Victimization incidence rates produced from the NCVS are a generally accepted annual indicator of the amount and type of crime in the United States. However, persons who report a large number of similar victimizations, known as series victimizations in the NCVS, are currently excluded in government reports of annual violent victimizations. This paper quantifies the effect of series incident counting procedures on national estimates of violent victimization. Tables, figures and references