NCJ Number
116145
Date Published
1988
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This victim survey obtained information about the Greek population in Stuttgart, West Germany, to assess exposure to crime risk and the scope of daily threat to life, health, and property.
Abstract
The survey sample comprised 510 persons of Greek nationality who were at least 18 years of age. Of 510 questionnaires mailed in January 1983, 219 were returned (42.9 percent). Criminal victimization, reporting behavior, fear of crime, attitudes toward official crime control, and attitudes toward the treatment of crime and criminals were evaluated. At least one out of every five Greek respondents claimed to have been the victim of an attempted or accomplished crime within the 12-month reference period. The victimization of the Greek population was almost identical with that of the German comparison population. Greeks were exposed to more serious offenses (burglary and assault) than Germans (theft and criminal damage). Only a fraction of victimizations had been reported. The perceived risk of victimization was higher than the reported victimization burden. The attitude of Greek respondents toward police and courts was predominantly positive, but the performance of the correctional system with respect to resocialization was viewed as ineffective. Germans rated police more negatively than courts. With respect to attitudes toward offender treatment, there was consensus between Germans and Greeks in advocating mandatory supervision after having served a prison sentence. Germans gave greater precedence to resocialization and Greeks to deterrence. A clearer orientation toward penal retribution was discernible among Greeks from their attitude toward the death penalty and probation. 48 references, 4 references.