Analysis of National Crime Victimization Survey Data to Study Serious Delinquent Behavior, Monograph Three -- Juvenile Criminal Behavior in Urban, Suburban, and Rural Areas

• NCJ Number: 75127
• Author(s): J H Laub; M J Hindelang
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 121 pages
• Grant Number(s): 78-JN-AX-0029
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Hindelang Criminal Justice Research Ctr
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Number 3 in a 5 part Victimization Series

Annotation

This report uses the 1973 to 1977 National Crime Survey victimization data to address address three major questions concerning personal crimes committed by juveniles, youthful offenders, and adults across urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Abstract

The personal crimes of rape, robbery, assault, and personal larceny (purse snatching and pocket picking) and the commercial crime of robbery are examined. The questions focus on the patterns, nature, and consequences of victimization across urban, suburban, and rural areas. The analysis of victimization patterns across the urban-rural dimension showed that overall victimization rates were higher in urban than in suburban and rural areas. Assault, while quite common in both urban and rural areas, accounted for a larger proportion of all rural crimes than urban crimes. These patterns held for juveniles, youthful offenders, and adults. Data on the nature of victimization across the urban-rural dimension indicated a larger proportion of victimizations by strangers in urban areas, while lone offenders were more prevalent in rural areas. Finally, an examination of the consequences of victimization according to the extent of urbanization revealed there were no substantial differences in the proportion of completed robberies across the urban-rural dimension for any of the offender age groups. Financial loss did not vary with the extent of urbanization and most financial losses reported by victims were relatively small. In addition, the proportion of the victims injured during the course of a robbery or assault was the same in urban, suburban, and rural areas. However, the proportion of injured victims increases with the age of the offender for the crime of robbery. Six figures and 14 tables present statistics and crime rates described in the report. National Crime Survey data and survey instruments are appended. Approximately 50 references are included. (Author abstract modified.)