Topic 9b: Victim Surveys

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

One way of estimating the extent and patterns of crime is that of victim surveys. In these, a sample of the population either locally or nationally is asked which offences have been committed against them over a certain period of time. They are designed to overcome the shortcomings of the under-reporting of crime to official bodies.

Question 2

Conclusion

Answer 2

They uncover the reasons why individuals do not report a crime
This approach overcomes the fact that a significant proportion of offences are never recorded by the police. It also gives an excellent picture of the extent and patterns of victimisation – something completely missing from official accounts. In recent years, under 16’s have also taken part in victimisation studies.