In the last report from the National Crime Victimization Survey, there were 6,624,950 victims of violent crime and 13.4 million property victimizations of U.S. households. Per the USDOJ, 23 million persons reported being victims of identity theft during the prior 12 months, costing $15.1 billion.
We are addressing well over 40 million criminal victimizations yearly. Victimization may exceed half the population when you combine violent and property crime with identity theft and cybercrime.
Millions experience emotional distress.
As a police officer, I responded to a call for an active burglary. When I arrived, I was greeted outside by a frantic mother and children who claimed that someone was in the basement. Upon investigation, no one was there and there were no signs of a breaking and entering.
However, the woman and children were distraught (understatement). They begged me to stay. The problem was that my calls were backing up; I had the woman call my supervisor to get permission to remain. After about 30 minutes, they were calm enough to leave.
One of the impressions of police work is how powerful all types of victimizations are to those affected. People move because of crime. I knew of a new television executive moving out of Baltimore City because his garage was broken into three times to steal bikes. He wanted to experience life in the city but moved his family close to the Pennslyvania line in northern Baltimore County.
The findings below from the National Crime Victimization Survey of the USDOJ underplay the impact of crime by focusing on crimes of violence when the reality is that many are devastated by property crimes; victims often believe the offender will return. They spend thousands of dollars on security devices. They purchase firearms. The stories of identity theft victims losing their life savings are heartbreaking.
Readers should understand that all criminal activity (or perceptions of criminal activity) have the potential to significantly alter (destroy?) communities.
What puzzles me and others is that the plight of crime victims is routinely ignored by policymakers and the media. It’s as if victimization is something they need to get over and move on with their lives.
We wouldn’t do that to people experiencing severe medical or mental health issues or members of marginalized groups experiencing attacks; we’re ready to march in the streets for everyone except victims of crime.
Why is that?
National Crime Victimization Survey
Violent victimization is known to have consequences on victims’ lives, including negatively impacting their social and emotional well-being, see Socio-Emotional Impact of Violent Crime. In the National Crime Victimization Survey, socio-emotional consequences of crime include moderate to severe emotional distress, significant problems with friends or family, and significant problems with one’s job or schoolwork. Victimizations reflect the total number of times that persons were victims of crime.
Key Findings
- Overall, 68% of victims of serious violence experienced socio-emotional problems as a result of their victimization
- Nearly half of all violent victimizations (47%) resulted in moderate to severe distress to the victim. About 22% of violent victimizations resulted in the victim experiencing significant problems with family or friends, and 18% caused significant problems with their job or schoolwork.
- More than half of rape or sexual assault (63%), robbery (59%), and aggravated assault (52%) victimizations resulted in moderate to severe distress to the victim, compared to less than half of simple assault (40%) victimizations.
- The victim reported significant problems with family or friends following 18% of simple assault victimizations, which was lower than the percentages for rape or sexual assault (34%), robbery (30%), and aggravated assault victimizations (26%).
- The victim reported significant problems with their job or schoolwork after 13% of robbery victimizations and 15% of simple assault victimizations, both lower than the percentages reported after rape or sexual assault (29%) and aggravated assault (22%) victimizations.
- A greater percentage of female than male victims experienced socio-emotional problems, regardless of the type of violence or victim–offender relationship.
- The majority (91%) of violent crime victims with socioemotional problems experienced one or more emotional symptoms for a month or more. Most (61%) experienced one or more physical symptoms for a month or more.
- About 9 in 10 IPV victims who lived in households headed by single females experienced socioemotional problems
Few understand or are willing to acknowledge the massive psychological and financial impact of criminal victimization. Sympathy and assistance seem to come from the law enforcement community and victim advocates. Beyond them, few seem to care. The criminological community or media or advocates rarely (if ever) mention the societal impact of crime victimization.
No demonstrations or events are defending or advocating for crime victims.
In the last report from the National Crime Victimization Survey, there were 6,624,950 victims of violent crime and 13.4 million property victimizations of U.S. households. Per the USDOJ, 23 million persons reported being victims of identity theft during the prior 12 months, costing $15.1 billion.
We are addressing well over 40 million criminal victimizations yearly. Victimization may exceed half the population when you combine violent and property crime with identity theft and cybercrime.
According to Gallup, fear of crime is at record highs. According to polls, crime is at the top of voter concerns. Crime is the second most important topic (beyond weather) for local news. Crime is a top reason for people moving.
Yet few care about victims. People expressing concerns about crime per Gallup are subject to a slew of national articles suggesting that their feelings are unjustified. They imply that Americans concerned about crime are either silly or irrational.
When was the last time a major media outlet addressed the needs of crime victims? When was the last demonstration calling for the rights of crime victims? The damage done to crime victims is the same as attacks on any group of people, yet the issue is mostly ignored. A greater percentage of female than male victims experienced socio-emotional problems yet #metoo seems missing in action.
Why?
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