National Crime Victimization Survey Research Articles

Theory Development and Crime Prevention Insights From the NCVS

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) has furnished U.S. crime statistics and high quality data for theory development and policy insights for over 50 years. This article highlights few of these achievements drawing on the development of criminological thinking with regard to measurement, and explanation of victimization and its concentration on a small minority of the population. It overviews lifestyle and the more encompassing environmental criminology theory for victimization, and explanations of multiple victimization, and the international crime drop that relied on NCVS data. Selected crime prevention insight and few recommendations for future research conclude the article.

Issues Associated With the Formulation of a Small Area Model for Estimation of State-Level Crime Victimization Rates

Subnational estimation is an important and challenging problem in the context of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). Direct estimates for subnational domains are often unreliable due to small sample sizes. Model-based procedures have potential to improve upon direct estimators. However, model-based estimation presents several new challenges. One must identify suitable covariates, and an appropriate model form must be specified. This article discusses issues associated with the formulation of a small area model for production of state-level estimates of crime victimization rates. An analysis of direct estimates and covariates motivates the development of a Bayesian multivariate model. A model in the original scale is compared to a model in the log scale. Efficiency gains from the model relative to the direct estimators are examined. One challenge is that direct estimates can equal zero. Two ways of handling zero direct estimates are discussed.

The Future of the NCVS: Findings From the Multiyear Effort to Design the New Instrument and Plans for Implementation

During the past 50 years, various changes and improvements to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) have occurred. During this time, the NCVS has provided important national data on personal and household victimization and has remained a key resource for understanding victims’ experiences. As the survey continues to evolve over time to address emerging data needs, this article provides details on the most recent multiyear effort to redesign the NCVS instrument. This effort was focused on three main goals: modernize the organization and content of the NCVS instrument, increase the quality of information collected and efficiency of the instrument flow, and improve the measurement and classification of crime. As we look forward to the next 50 years of NCVS data collection, the new NCVS instrument will continue to be a rich data source for understanding criminal victimization and the resulting consequences.

A Review of the Evolution of the NCS-NCVS Police Reporting and Response Questions and Their Application to Older Women Experiencing Violent Victimization

Little attention is given to the history of the data that underlie research on crime trends and patterns. This article considers the evolution of the National Crime Victimization Survey’s (NCVS) police reporting and response questions. These questions are particularly important as the NCVS is the only nationally representative source of information on whether crime is reported to the police and citizen views of police actions. In addition, the current NCVS redesign is set to substantially add to these items. To provide a context for this discussion, this article applies the police reporting and response questions to an understudied victim group, specifically older women who experience violent victimization. This application illustrates the research opportunities and challenges for working with these data.

Declines in victims calling the police in 21st-century America: how the trends vary by race/ethnicity and racial-immigration contexts

Victims’ willingness to call the police facilitates access to the justice system and potential resources. Research shows a decline in police notification in the United States in recent decades, but the research has not assessed variation in trends across different racial/ethnic groups and different racial-immigration contexts. This study uses the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) data from 52 metropolitan areas in the United States from 2000 to 2015 to investigate how victims across racial/ethnic groups vary in the likelihood of crime reporting based on geographic context. The results show that Black, Latino, and Asian victims’ crime-reporting behavior is influenced by the racial/ethnic and immigrant composition of the metropolitan areas. While the likelihood of police notification between racial/ethnic minorities and Whites is often similar when averaged across areas, minority victims in areas with higher percentages of Black or immigrant residents show a lower likelihood of crime reporting than their White counterparts. The higher percentage of immigrants is also associated with a steeper decline in the reporting of property crimes. These findings demonstrate the context-dependent nature of crime reporting. They help explain mixed evidence on the associations of race/ethnicity with police notification. To understand the crime-reporting behavior of victims, especially those who are racially marginalized, more attention to racial-immigration contexts is needed.

The National Crime Victimization Survey at Fifty: Introduction to the Special Issue

The National Crime Victimization Survey at Fifty: Introduction to the Special Issue

Characteristics and Consequences of Violent Victimization in Sexual and Gender Minority Communities: An Analysis of the 2017-2021 National Crime Victimization Survey.

Purpose: This article investigates rates of violent victimization, subsequent help-seeking, and health-related consequences within sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities. Methods: Aggregate data from the 2017-2021 National Crime Victimization Survey were examined to determine nationally representative estimates of rates and distributions of violent victimization, help-seeking, and socioemotional consequences within those 16 years of age and older. Due to sample size, most analyses aggregated sexual orientation and gender identity to allow comparison of SGM persons to non-SGM persons and examine differences within the SGM population. Results: Persons who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual experienced violent victimization at rates two to six times higher than straight persons. Transgender persons were victimized more than three times as often than cisgender persons. SGM persons experienced higher rates of all types of violent victimization than non-SGM persons regardless of victim-offender relationship. There were differences by victim demographic characteristics, including sex, race and Hispanic origin, age, marital status, and household income. A higher proportion of SGM victims reported only problems with work/school or problems both at work/school and with family/friends. Finally, higher proportions of SGM victims reported socioemotional consequences when they were female, older, or experienced serious violent crime. Conclusion: The findings in this study continue to highlight high levels of violence experienced by SGM persons and disproportionate socioemotional consequences. There is an evident need to develop targeted interventions and provide services to address the consequences of victimization among this population. The analyses demonstrate the necessity of continued research to better understand the impact of violence on SGM communities.

Levels and Changes in Defensive Firearm Use by US Crime Victims, 1987‒2021.

Objectives. To examine levels and temporal changes in the frequency of defensive gun use by US crime victims. Methods. We computed national-level counts of criminal incidents involving firearm defense during 3 periods: 1993 to 2005, 2007 to 2015, and 2016 to 2021. We also considered earlier national estimates for 1987 to 1990. The data came from the US Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). We counted firearm defenses as incidents in which victims used a gun to threaten or attack an offender. Results. Over the 4 periods, for all crimes, victims reported gun defenses in an average range of between 61 000 and 65 000 incidents per year. This included between 38 000 and 53 000 personal (violent) incidents and between 12 000 and 23 000 household (property) incidents. Conclusions. Firearm defenses occurred at a relatively low and nearly constant level over the 35-year period. Although some victims use guns for defense, these uses are infrequent compared with the incidence of crime. Public Health Implications. The continuing relative rarity of NCVS armed defenses suggests that claims about the protective benefits of widespread firearm ownership may be overstated. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(12):1384-1387. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307838).

Covid-19 Pandemic's impact on socio-emotional problems experienced by victims of violence with disabilities

BackgroundStudies on the emotional well-being of individuals with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic focused on the beginning of the pandemic and omitted the experiences of victims with disabilities. ObjectiveWe compared socio-emotional problems experienced by victims of violence with and without disabilities before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. MethodsWe conducted regression analysis using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey to examine the differences in socio-emotional problems experienced by violent crime victims with and without disabilities before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. We conducted descriptive analyses to explore patterns of receiving victim services. ResultsMale victims without disabilities had lower odds of socio-emotional problems than female and male victims with disabilities before and throughout the pandemic. Female victims with disabilities had higher odds of socio-emotional problems than male victims with disabilities and female victims without disabilities before and during the first year of the pandemic. After the first year of the pandemic, female victims with and without disabilities and male victims with disabilities had no significant differences in their odds of experiencing socio-emotional problems. A higher percentage of victims received services during the pandemic in comparison to these patterns before the pandemic. After the first year of the pandemic, there was a notable increase in the percentage of female victims with and without disabilities and percentage of male victims with disabilities receiving victim services. ConclusionsOur findings underline the disproportionate effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on socio-emotional well-being of victims with disabilities and especially female victims with disabilities.

Knowing is half the battle: Examining the association between acknowledgement of victimization and reporting of fraud

Reporting victimization to the police or one’s bank is a crucial step for victims of fraud, but many victims of fraud do not acknowledge their experiences as constituting victimization. The study examines whether acknowledgement influences odds of reporting fraud to police and banks. Findings from a sample from the 2017 National Crime Victimization Survey’s Supplemental Fraud Survey (n = 540) indicate that acknowledgement is positively associated with odds of reporting to police and banks, while other factors were differentially associated with reporting to police and banks. Findings are discussed in light of research and policy implications as well as limitations.

Help-Seeking from Victim Services, Personal Networks, and Reporting to Police: Stalking Victim Behaviors from the 2019 NCVS Supplemental Victimization Survey.

Understanding the predictors of stalking victimization, help-seeking behaviors of stalking victims, and their reporting to police can help law enforcement and advocates improve systems and ensure they are accessible and useful to victims. Existing stalking research focuses heavily on campus-based stalking, non-nationally representative populations, and/or dated data collection methods, such as the 2006 National Crime Victimization Survey, Supplemental Victimization Survey (NCVS-SVS), an instrument that has been updated according to current stalking definitions. This study employs the latest 2019 NCVS-SVS to analyze its new stalking screening questions and additional variables. We identified predictors of (a) stalking victimization, (b) help-seeking from victim-serving agencies, (c) help-seeking from personal networks, and (d) reporting to police. Predictors of stalking victimization included younger age, identifying as female, identifying as not heterosexual, household incomes below $50,000, and any college attendance. Victims who knew their offenders (intimate or non-intimate) were more likely than victims of stranger stalking to seek help from victim-serving agencies and personal networks. Younger victims were more likely to seek help from personal networks. None of the variables we examined predicted reporting to police. This study shows the characteristics of stalking victims have stayed consistent over time but highlights an ongoing need for resources for victims of stranger stalking, who may not know about or be able to access stalking services that are offered by intimate partner violence agencies. Future research around stalking victim characteristics should focus on populations that are newly included in national stalking data, such as those who identify as transgender and sexual identity minorities.

Concealed firearm carrying laws and defensive firearm use in public locations of US metropolitan areas, 1986–2004

ObjectivesThere has been extensive debate in the USA as to how laws regulating the carrying of concealed firearms affect crime and public safety. This study examines whether US state laws...

Online and Terrestrial Identity Theft: A Comparison of Victims and Examination of Reporting Decisions Across Modalities

The current study examines whether identity theft that occurs online differs from terrestrial identity theft, and the correlates of reporting across modalities. Findings from two samples (online n = 1,087; terrestrial n = 371) from the 2016, 2018, and 2021 waves of the National Crime Victimization Survey’s Identity Theft Supplement indicate that terrestrial identity theft led to greater levels of distress and financial losses than online identity theft, and was more often reported to police. Multivariate findings indicate that distress levels and knowledge of the person who committed the offense were positively associated with odds of reporting online identity theft, but not terrestrial identity theft. The article highlights the importance of acknowledging the modality of identity theft, and offers suggestions for policy.

Exploring the Role of Cognitive and Physical Limitations in Explaining Identity Theft Victimization

ABSTRACT We use data from the 2018 Identity Theft Supplement of the U.S. National Crime Victimization Survey to examine the relationship between cognitive or physical limitations and identity theft victimization from a Routine Activities theory perspective. Using the binary logistic regression and multiple imputation technique for handling the missing data, we regressed several outcomes of identity theft victimization on cognitive or physical limitations while controlling for online and offline routines including protective strategies, individual characteristics, and previous victimization. We also tested whether age moderates the relationship between cognitive or physical limitations and victimization outcomes. The results suggest that the relationship between cognitive or physical limitations and victimization is generally significant and positive except for credit card victimization Our findings also revealed that some of these relationships are moderated by age.

Hate Speech Against Asian American Youth: Pre-Pandemic Trends and The Role of School Factors

Although hate speech against Asian American youth has intensified in recent years—fueled, in part, by anti-Asian rhetoric associated with the COVID-19 pandemic—the phenomenon remains largely understudied at scale and in relation to the role of schools prior to the pandemic. This study describes the prevalence of hate speech against Asian American adolescents in the US between 2015 and 2019 and investigates how school-related factors are associated with whether Asian American youth are victims of hate speech at school. Analyses are based on a sample of 938 Asian American adolescents (Mage = 14.8; 48% female) from the three most recently available waves (2015, 2017, and 2019) of the School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey. On average, approximately 7% of Asian Americans were targets of hate speech at school between 2015 and 2019, with rates remaining stable over time. Findings also indicate that students had lower odds of experiencing hate speech if they attended schools with a stronger authoritative school climate, which is characterized by strict, yet fair disciplinary rules coupled with high levels of support from adults. On the other hand, Asian American youth faced higher odds of experiencing hate speech if they were involved in school fights. Authoritative school climate and exposure to fights are malleable and can be shaped directly by broader school climate related policies, programs and interventions. Accordingly, efforts to promote stronger authoritative climates and reduce exposure to physical fights hold considerable potential in protecting Asian American youth from hate speech at school.

Male Victims of Sexual Violence and Factors Associated With Reporting to Law Enforcement in the United States

Of the violent crimes, sexual assault remains the least likely to be reported to law enforcement across various countries, particularly for male victims. Addressing this gap in the literature, this study uses National Crime Victimization Survey data from 1992 to 2020 to examine the relationship between victim, offender, and situational characteristics to the reporting of rape for male victims by both male and female offenders. Of the 330 male victims, only one in six (16%) reported it to law enforcement. In the multivariate model, men were less likely to report the incident when the offender was a woman or a juvenile, the victim was college educated and lived in a rural area, and when the incident was a completed rape and occurred at night-time. Older victims are more likely to report, and when a weapon is used or there are injuries. Implications for efforts to increase reporting among victims of male sexual violence are discussed.

Firearms and Extortions in Mexico, 2012 to 2021.

The study of firearm violence in Mexico has primarily focused on homicides and trafficking. Less attention has been given to understanding how firearms affect other crimes and facilitate criminal activity beyond drug markets. By analyzing two questions, this study explores the role of firearms in extortions perpetrated in Mexico from 2012 to 2021. Questions are: What is the likelihood of reporting extortions to the police if offenders exhibited firearms? What is the likelihood of compliance with demands when offenders are armed with firearms? We obtained data from Mexico's National Crime Victimization Surveys and analyzed 2,619 extortions reported from 2012 to 2021. To explore our research questions, we ran two binary logistic regressions. Our dependent variables were dichotomous (reported to police = 1, complied with demands = 1). The independent variables were weapon types (extortions involving firearms as the reference group). We controlled for victim demographics as well as crime characteristics. Our results indicate that 40% of these extortions (n = 1,058) were perpetrated with a firearm. Fifty-two percent of extortions were perpetrated by unarmed offenders (n = 1,348) and 8% (n = 213) were perpetrated with other weapons (no firearms). Models suggest that, when compared to extortions perpetrated by unarmed offenders or those exhibiting other weapons (no firearms), victims of extortions involving firearms are less likely to report these crimes to police, mainly because of fear of reprisal. Similarly, victims are more likely to comply with demands if offenders exhibit firearms. Findings highlight the role of firearms in criminal enterprises and support the need for a comprehensive policy agenda to address firearm violence in Mexico.

Crime Incidents and Victim Demographics: An Examination of Reporting Behaviours

The present study used data from the National Crime Victimization Survey from 1994 to 2020 to examine reporting behaviours of respondents. The study aimed to identify if the presence of a weapon, and an offender being a stranger, impacted whether a victim reports the crime to law enforcement. Demographic variables (e.g., sex, age and income) and crime incident-related variables (e.g., relationship to the offender, distance from home, violent crime and the number of crime incidents) were used to examine the effect on reporting behaviour. Two binary logit models were run and found that the presence of a weapon, the offender being a stranger, victims who are female, a closer distance to the respondent’s home, violent crime and fewer number of crime incidents in the last year were associated with higher odds of reporting. The odds of reporting a crime were over two times larger when the offender had a weapon, providing support for weapons continuing to impact reporting behaviour. An interaction effect was run and suggests that the year of victimization does not impact the relationship between weapons and reporting behaviour.

Impact of Multiple Minority Statuses: An Examination of Violent Victimization, Police Reporting and Perception of Police Bias

Individuals who identify as belonging to multiple marginalized groups experience disproportionate violent victimization yet are reluctant to inform the police following an incident. Perceptions of the police as biased may influence whether victims report. This study examines low socio-economic and sexual orientation/gender-identity (SOGI) minority statuses on experiencing violent victimization, reporting to the police and perceived police bias as a reason for not reporting. Multivariate logistic regressions were applied to National Crime Victimization Survey data. Low-income, SOGI respondents reported greater odds of experiencing violent victimization but lower odds of reporting to the police. An increase in the odds of perceiving the police as biased was found among victims who did not report. Results suggest greater work to improve the strained relationships between the police and minority communities.

The Focal Concerns of Stalking Victims: Examining Victims’ Decisions to Engage Civil and Criminal Legal Systems

Few studies have explored the focal concerns theory as a framework for understanding crime victims’ decisions to adopt civil/criminal interventions. Using data from the 2019 National Crime Victimization Survey, the current study finds support for the theory, highlighting several factors influencing formal help-seeking decisions aligned with factors legal actors also consider in arrest and charging decisions. Indeed, stalking victims were more likely to apply for protection orders and/or contact the police after experiencing a repeated course of unwanted conduct (e.g., blameworthiness) by intimate partners (e.g., community protection) that caused victims to fear for themselves or others (e.g., community protection) and/or to access victim services (e.g., practical constraints). In addition, most victims believed they were targeted by stalkers who felt entitled, desired power and control, or felt rejected. The findings suggest implications for improving civil and criminal-legal responses to stalking complaints by outlining areas to probe during interviews for further corroboration.