NCJ Number
201019
Date Published
May 2003
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This document presents a summary of the significant findings from the 2001 New Zealand National Survey of Crime Victims (NZNSCV).
Abstract
The 2001 NZNSCV randomly interviewed the population of New Zealanders who were aged 15 or older at the time of the survey. Participants were asked about crimes that had been perpetrated against them, such as sexual assault, assault, robbery, theft from person or place, and willful damage. Participants were also asked to report on crimes that had affected their entire family, such as burglary, theft from outside or inside a dwelling, theft from motor vehicles, and inference with motor vehicles. Participants were asked about the circumstances surrounding their victimization and the impact of the crime on their families. Approximately 5,300 participants completed the interview process. The objectives of the 2001 NZNSCV include the provision of a crime measurement that is independent of official police reports of crime rates and to describe the physical, financial, emotional, and cultural effects of crime on the New Zealand population. Findings revealed that there was little change in victimization rates between 1995 and 2000; an estimated 1,779,657 households and individuals were victimized in 2000 compared with 1,786,127 households and individuals who were victimized in 1995. One category of victimization did experience a significant increase in 2000: the incidence of individual property victimization. Those most at risk for victimization included young people, students, beneficiaries, single parents, and those living with roommates. Approximately two-fifths of victimizations were reported to police. The summary findings also include information concerning victims’ satisfaction with police, data on violent victimization, sexual victimization, residential burglary, concerns about victimization and safety, victim support services, and preventing victimization. In conclusion, the findings suggest that most New Zealanders do not experience victimization; however, there is a minority of people who experience repeated victimization.