Estimating the Financial Costs of Crime Victimization: Study Delineates Research Needs To Inform Victim Services Policies, Programs

 

Crime victimization is a vast social harm. Its full cost to individuals and communities is still unknown, but the ultimate financial tally is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars — up to 6% of the gross domestic product. Criminal justice system policymakers and practitioners could benefit from more complete and precise crime victimization cost data and tools. Better data and methods could drive more equitable crime victim support, including direct victim compensation and other victim services. To that end, an NIJ-funded research team identified in detail research needs for better data that would be helpful to victim services professionals. READ MORE