Reporting to the Police by Hispanic Victims of Violence

• NCJ Number: 221388
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 22 Issue: 6 Dated: 2007 Pages: 754-772
• Author(s): Callie Marie Rennison Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 19 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using 11 years of data from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), this study examined the rate at which Hispanics reported violent victimizations to police compared to non-Hispanic Whites, Blacks, American Indians, and Asians.

Abstract

The findings show that the reporting behavior of Hispanic victims of violence differed from that of other victims groups in important ways, depending on the type of violence considered. Regarding violent crime in general (completed and attempted rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault), Hispanic victims were more likely to report a violent victimization to the police than non-Hispanic Whites. Reporting behaviors of Hispanic victims and Non-Hispanic Black, American-Indian, and Asian victims were statistically equal. When considering violent crimes by category, however, the findings differed from those for violent crimes in general. The two most serious forms of violence considered in the study--rape/sexual assault and completed robbery--were significantly less likely to be reported to the police by Hispanic victims compared to non-Hispanic Whites. For simple assault, however, this least serious form of violence was more likely to be reported to the police by Hispanic victims than non-Hispanic White victims. Completed robbery against a Hispanic was significantly less likely to be reported to the police than similar violence against Asian victims. When a violent victimization occurred in or near the victim's home all groups were more likely to report the victimization. The level of educational attainment was positively related to the reporting of violent victimization for Hispanic victims only. NCVS data were used from the third quarter of 1993 through the fourth quarter of 2003. This represents all NCVS data available following a major redesign implemented in 1992. The NCVS interviewed all persons age 12 or older every 6 months for a 3-year period in sampled households. 4 tables, 7 notes and 47 references