This study was conducted because the typical annual victimization rates alone do not convey the full impact of crime as it affects people. Lifetime likelihoods of victimization were calculated from National Crime Survey annual victimization rates and life tables published by the National Center for Health Statistics. The probability that a person will be victimized at a particular age depends on the probability that the person is alive at that age and the probability that a person of that age will be victimized. The lifetime likelihood of personal victimization is derived from the probabilities of being victimized at the various ages that constitute a lifetime. A similar method is used for calculating the long-term likelihood of crimes against households. For crimes against the person, the lifetime likelihood of victimization is presented for violent crimes, rape, robbery, assault, robbery or assault resulting in injury, and personal theft. The long-term likelihood of household victimization is presented for burglary, household larceny, and motor vehicle theft. 3 tables and 3 notes.
Lifetime Likelihood of Victimization
NCJ Number
104274
Date Published
1987
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This report estimates the likelihood that persons will become crime victims during their lifetimes or that a household will be victimized during a 20-year period.
Abstract