Crime Victims'

What is victimology?

The study of victimization 

What does victimology cover?

• Relationships of victims/offenders

• Interactions between victims and the criminal justice system 

• Victim services

Who are victims?

Anyone that has a crime committed against them

Nibrs (National incident based reporting system)

Documents victimization and crimes 

Victim survey (NCVS: national crime victimization survey)

Documents victimization that is not reported to police 

How does the NCVS work?

Samples 150,000 households annually over 3.5 years, interviewing 240,000 people 12 or older every 6 months (7 total interviews)

Types of questions on NCVS survey

Type of crime, severity, injuries, medical expenses, reported or not reported crime in their perspective

What questions are not included on the NCVS survey

 Kidnapping and homicide, kidnapping victim cannot participate and homicide victims are dead

Crimes during covid

Decreased

School violence during covid

Could not be accounted for because schools were closed.

Result of schools closed during covid

There was more violence at home, including child abuse. 

Simple Assault

Attack or attempted attack of an individual without the use of a weapon that results in no/minor injuries (black eye, bruises, cuts, scrapes, scratches, swelling.)

Aggravated Assault

Attack or attempted attack with a weapon that involves any injury or an attack without a weapon that results in serious physical injuries (Loss of consciousness, internal injuries, hospitalization, broken bones.

Property crime is more common than…

Violent crime

Most popular property crimes

Stealing phones or shoplifting

Historically underreported crime

Rape/sexual assault

Rape/sexual assault reporting from 2023-2024

Decreased

Violent crime victimization from 2023-2024

Violent crime victimization increased

What prevents people from reporting rape/sexual assault

Shame or stigma

Most reported crime

Motor Vehicle Theft

Why are motor vehicle thefts the most reported?

Insurance companies require a police report to give money out after a vehicle was stolen

Why is aggravated assault more reported than simple assault?

If victim is in the hospital, a nurse must report it to the police, or if victim has a visible injury, most people report it

Reproting robbery

Most people only report strangers who rob them, not people they know

Majority of violent crime…

Does not use a firearm

Firearm violence in 2024

Increased (firearm)

When a firearm is used in an aggravated assault

It is more likely to be reported to police

Historically, what percentage of victims reach out for victim services

Less than 10%

Why aren’t there more victim services?

The don’t have enough funding to serve 100% of victims

What percentage of victims reach out for victim services in 2024?

8.3%

Why do intimate partner violence victims use victim services the most?

They usually rely on money (credit cards), a safe place to stay, new electronic devices, etc.

Why do violent crime injury victims reach out to victim services?

So they can go to the hospital without needing to pay their bill

How expensive is crime?

1 Trillion dollars are used to respond to crime each year

How much does crime cost citizens?

2-6% of the nation’s GDP

What is trauma?

An experience that is physically or emotionally harmful, threatening, or overwhelming and has lasting and holistic effects on the individual’s functioning 

When was the term trauma introduced?

In 2001

Why do children in intimate partner violence situations have trauma?

The violence effected them too, even though they weren’t the direct target

Trauma informed care

The intersection between trauma, mental health, and service systems promoting the mindset around trauma responses

What is considered aggravated assault?

Any time a weapon is brought to an attack (Victim knows the weapon is there)

Impact of assault on victims

• Some victims have immediate reactions while others are delayed 

• Feelings of humiliation, embarrassment, or shame 

• Possible feeling of rejection or isolation from friends and family 

• PTSD, depression, and anxiety 

Robbery

Attempted or completed act of taking property directly from another person with the use of force or threat of force 

Average value of property stolen by robbery

Approximately $1,200

Statistic of firearms used in robberies

About 40% of instances

What force is most common in robberies?

The THREAT of force

Where are robberies least likely to occur?

In banks

Impact on robbery victims

• Feelings of loss of control over life and their decisions 

• Hypervigilance 

• May feel responsible for their victimization 

• Feelings of revenge or retribution 

• PTSD 

• If robbed at work: It impairs interactions with customers and colleagues, worry about returning to work 

Property crimes

Items, land, buildings, money, and/or cars: illegal taking, damaging, or destruction of a person’s property  

Most common property crimes

• Burglary

• Larceny

• Motor Vehicle Theft

• Arson

Most popular property crime

Burglary

Why is burglary most popular in rental properties?

Rental properties are mainl yin working class areas with a large turnover rate

What percentage of crime do property crimes make up?

75%

Annual monetary loss due to property crimes

Over $10 Billion

Burglary

Person or persons enter or attempt to enter a residence unlawfully 

Average loss per burglary

$2,300

Most common burglaries

Residential burglary

Burglary impact on victims

- Feelings of helplessness, intense fear, PSTD-like response 

- May have trouble relaxing at home 

- Take extra precautions to feel safe, reduce anxiety, or prevent further victimization (installing security system, evaluating lock, purchasing a firearm) 

Motor Vehicle Theft

Attempted or actual theft of a motor vehicle (any vehicle with a motor, ATV’s, Scooters, motorcycles, etc.) 

75% of all stolen motor vehicles

Automobiles

Arson

Intentional and malicious burning or attempt to burn a house, public building, motor vehicle, aircraft, or personal property of another person 

Where do 42% of arsons take place

Residential, storage, or public structures

Property loss per arson

$16,000

When do most home fires happen?

Between 3pm and midnight

Leading place of origin for arson home fires

Bedroom

Leading place of origin for arson public fires

Bathroom

Arson impact on victims

• Most victims are harmed through structure fires (Structure fires only comprise of 18% of all intentional fires but makeup 92% of deaths, 84% of injuries, and 86% of direct property damage and loss) 

• May not have a place to move, feelings of displacement 

• Possible looting after a fire 

• Insurance and inadequate compensation 

Theft (Larceny)

Unlawful taking, leading, carrying, or riding away from the property or possession of another 

Average property value taken from theft

$1,000

Most stolen property…

is never recovered