Estimating the Costs of Crime Victimization: An Assessment of the Field

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Despite reductions in U.S. crime rates, crime victimization continues to be a pressing problem with enormous societal costs. Credible national estimates of victimization costs are between 2% and 10% of the nation’s gross domestic product, which translates to hundreds of billions of dollars each year. State, local, and federal incarceration costs for crime cost taxpayers upwards of $80 billion per year alone. Understanding the financial costs of victimization enables policymakers and practitioners to use limited resources more efficiently. With this goal in mind, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funded a comprehensive assessment of the state of current research and methodologies related to estimating the costs of victimization, and to make a series of recommendations for the field based on this assessment. This study was conducted by Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA), The Urban Institute, and the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC), in conjunction with a number of renowned costs experts and stakeholder groups. In this panel, JRSA, Urban, and NCVC will present findings and discuss recommendations. Renowned expert Mark Cohen of Vanderbilt University will facilitate the discussion.

Sub Unit

• Area VI. Victimization / 34. Policy and Prevention of Victimization

Division of Special Interest

• Division Session of Interest / Division of Victimology

Individual Presentations

• Service Providers’ and Survivors’ Perspectives on the Costs of Victimization: Results from Two Surveys - Jennifer Yahner, The Urban Institute; Carla Vasquez-Noriega, Urban Institute

• Systemic Views on the Costs of Crime Victimization: Focus Groups with Administering Agencies and Civil Attorneys - Olivia Garcia, National Center for Victims of Crime; Rachel E. Ferris, National Center for Victims of Crime

• So How Do We Do It? Available Data, Methods, and Recommendations for Estimating the Costs of Crime Victimization - Kristina Lugo, Justice Research and Statistics Association; Erin J. Farley, Justice Research and Statistics Association; Roger Przybylski, Justice Research and Statistics Association

Chair

• Kristina Lugo, Justice Research and Statistics Association

Discussant

• Mark A. Cohen, Vanderbilt University