NCJ Number
77080
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (1980) Pages: 270-277
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The results of the United Nations' first worldwide crime survey for the years 1970 through 1975 are presented.
Abstract
Of the organization's 152 member states, 64 participated by responding to a survey instrument which called for unsophisticated responses in order to enable nations with little statistical expertise to reply. Over half the nations, developing and developed, reported that the crime trend in relation to population growth in their countries had risen; about one-third reported that crime had remained relatively stable; and several states found that crimes had decreased. Most states reported an increase for homicide, assault, robbery, theft, and drug-related offenses, while trends for sex offenses, kidnapping, and fraud remained relatively stable. During the survey period, the global crime rates for assault (184.1), robbery (46.1), theft (862.4), fraud (83.3), and alcohol abuse (67.8) exceeded those for homicide (3.9), sex crimes (24.2), kidnapping (0.7), illegal drug trafficking (9.8), and drug abuse (28.9), with a total of 1,311.2 offenses committed for every 100,000 population. Crimes against property accounted for the largest proportion (72 percent) of the world's total crime, followed by crimes against the person (20 percent). Developed countries reported over twice as much crime as developing countries; the incidence of offenses against persons was significantly higher among developing countries, while offenses against property were more common in developed countries. Thirty percent of the respondents indicated that the presence of close kinship systems and the controlling effects of religion were factors most closely related to low crime trends. Developing countries had more law enforcement officers per 100,000 population, but fewer judges, prosecutors and corrections officers than developed countries. Other results are presented, and implications are suggested. Data tables and a three-item reference list are included.