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Reported and Unreported Crimes

NCJ Number
99185
Date Published
1984
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and results of a victimization survey that encompassed seven major Canadian urban areas; the survey focused on crimes committed between January 1 and December 31, 1981.
Abstract
Random samples of residents 16 years old and older were selected from Greater Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax-Dartmouth, and St. John's. Sample sizes ranged from 6,910 in one city to 9,563 in another, with more than 61,000 telephone interviews completed overall. Respondents were queried about their experiences with certain crimes, the effects of their victimization, and their perceptions of crime and the criminal justice system. The crimes targeted were sexual assault, robbery, assault, break and enter, auto theft, theft of household property, theft of personal property, and vandalism. The report's narrative analysis covers general findings, local differences in crime reporting patterns, reporting patterns for various types of crime, and victimization patterns for each crime type. Respondents' perceptions of crime and attitudes toward police are also discussed. Noting that victimizations were twice the rate of crimes reported to police, the report draws implications for improving police-community relations and increasing the percentage of crimes reported. Tabular and graphic survey data are provided.