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Methods for Counting High-Frequency Repeat Victimizations in the National Crime Victimization Survey

NCJ Number
237308
Date Published
April 2012
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the research results and describes changes in the Bureau of Justice Statistic’s (BJS’s) enumeration practices regarding the treatment of series victimizations when estimating annual victimization rates.
Abstract
As part of ongoing research efforts associated with the redesign of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has investigated ways to include high-frequency repeat victimizations, or series victimizations, in estimates of criminal victimization. This report examines the nature and extent of series victimization in the NCVS, assesses the general patterns of victims' responses to being asked "How many times did this type of incident occur?," provides data on how reports of high-frequency repeated victimization have changed over time, and describes how BJS intends to change its counting practices for estimating annual victimization rates in future reports.

Date Published: April 1, 2012