Do crime victims lose trust in others? Evidence from Germany

Abstract

This paper analyzes the empirical relationship between crime victimization and interpersonal trust. Using German data from a victimization survey of the German Federal Criminal Police Office, we find a robust and economically meaningful negative association between trust level and exposure to the crime types considered (robbery, burglary, theft, and physical violence). The finding suggests additional repercussions from crime and may motivate law enforcement reform to remedy the adverse effects of lower trust.