NCJ Number
238752
Date Published
2012
Length
61 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings from the 2011 Maine Crime Victimization Survey (MCVS), which solicited information on criminal victimization rates, perceptions of crime, and the characteristics of victims and offenders from a random sample of 837 adults over the age of 18.
Abstract
Respondents reported the highest victimization rates for identity theft (15.0 percent of respondents), property crime (13.8 percent), and stalking (12.3 percent). Respondents reported being threatened with violence nearly twice as often as being the victim of a violent crime (7.4 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively). Two-thirds of respondents who were victims of a violent crime did not report the incident to police. Nearly one in five respondents reported being the victim of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault at some time in their lives. Respondents who reported being victims of one or more stalking behaviors were nearly three times more often the victim of a violent crime (10.7 percent) and twice as often the victim of a property crime (25.5 percent). There were no differences in victimization rates by living arrangement or geographic location. Most respondents threatened with or victimized by violence believed the offender was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Seven percent reported the presence of a firearm or use of a firearm in 6.7 percent of the incidents. Those who reported being victimized were more likely to indicate feeling unsafe in their communities. Respondents perceived local law enforcement officers as performing well. They perceived substance abuse and family issues as contributing to crime. Extensive tables and figures and appended survey questionnaire