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EXAMINATION OF THE ALLEGED LATENT EFFECTS OF VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS UPON CRIME REPORTING

NCJ Number
53905
Journal
LAE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSOCIATION Volume: 41 Issue: 1 Dated: (WINTER/SPRING 1978) Pages: 71-76
Author(s)
W G DOERNER
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A ONE-WAY ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE COMPARED DATA FROM 8 CITIES WITH VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AND 17 WITHOUT SUCH PROGRAMS. IT FOUND THAT VICTIM COMPENSATION HAS NOT RESULTED IN INCREASED CRIME REPORTING.
Abstract
THE SIMPLE STUDY DESIGN IS DESCRIBED BRIEFLY. NATIONAL CRIME PANEL SURVEY FIGURES WERE COMPARED FOR 8 CITIES IN STATES WITH VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS (BOSTON, MASS., BUFFALO, N.Y., LOS ANGELES, OAKLAND, SAN DIEGO, AND SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., AND NEW YORK CITY) AND 17 IN STATES WITHOUT SUCH PROGRAMS (CHICAGO, ILL., CINCINNATI, OHIO, DETROIT, MICH., HOUSTON, TEX., MIAMI, FLA., MILWAUKEE, WIS., MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., NEW ORLEANS, LA., PHILADELPHIA AND PITTSBURGH, PA., AND WASHINGTON, D.C.). VERY LITTLE DIFFERENCE WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE GROUPS IN TERMS OF PERCENT OF VIOLENT VICTIMIZATIONS INVOLVING PHYSICAL INJURY, HOSPITAL CARE, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT WAS HYPOTHESIZED ALSO THAT THERE WOULD BE LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN REPORTED PROPERTY OFFENSES SINCE THESE ARE NOT COMPENSATED. THIS WAS FOUND TRUE. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT VICTIM COMPENSATION STATUTES DO NOT HAVE THE LATENT EFFECT OF INCREASING CRIME REPORTING. TABLES PRESENT THE DATA. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (GLR)