Victimization: The Narrowing of the Gap Between the Dark Figure and Official Figure of Crime

• In Event: Criminal Law, Miscarriages of Justice, and Victimization

Abstract

Research suggests a large gap in the reports of personal victimization when comparing survey research and police records. This study attempted to examine the "change in the gap" when legal definitions of crime were amended to be more inclusive of the dynamics behind criminal victimization. Specifically, this study examined rape as reported prior to and after significant changes in the legal definition.

Author

• Daniel Murphy, Lynchburg College