ANALYSIS OF VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AS A TIME-SERIES EXPERIMENT

• NCJ Number: 37149
• Journal: Victimology Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (SUMMER 1976) Pages: 295-313
• Author(s): W G DOERNER; M S KNUDTEN; R D KNUDTEN; A C MEADE
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 19 pages
• Corporate Author: Visage Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE EFFECTS OF VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS IN HAWAII, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, AND NEW YORK UPON THE KNOWN VIOLENT CRIME RATE AND THE PROPORTION OF KNOWN CRIMES WHICH ARE VIOLENT IS STUDIED.

Abstract

TWO HYPOTHESES WERE TESTED: THAT THOSE STATES OPERATING A COMPENSATION PROGRAM WILL HAVE A RELATIVELY HIGHER KNOWN VIOLENT CRIME RATE THAN THOSE WHO DO NOT, AND THAT COMPENSATION STATES WILL EXPERIENCE A RELATIVELY HIGHER PROPORTION OF CRIMES KNOWN TO THE POLICE WHICH ARE VIOLENT. A PRELIMINARY VISUAL INSPECTION OF STUDY FIGURES SUGGESTS SOME SUPPORT FOR THESE HYPOTHESIZED RELATIONSHIPS. HOWEVER, AN EXAMINATION OF SEVERAL RIVAL HYPOTHESES INDICATES THAT CHANGES IN CRIME INDICATORS MAY BE DUE TO SUCH EXTRANEOUS FACTORS AS STATISTICAL REGRESSION, SELECTION, INSTRUMENTATION, AND HISTORY. IT IS CAUTIONED THAT A LACK OF CHANGE AT THE ECOLOGICAL LEVEL DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT VICTIM CONPENSATION PROGRAMS HAVE NO EFFECT, AND INSTEAD MAY SUGGEST THAT OPERATIONAL DEFICIENCIES ARE BLOCKING PROGRAM GOAL ATTAINMENT. SEVERAL LOCATIONS OF THESE DIFFICULTIES ARE DISCUSSED ALONG WITH STRATEGIES FOR THEIR IDENTIFICATION AND RESOLUTION. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)