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Criminal Victimization, 1994: National Crime Victimization Survey

NCJ Number
158022
Date Published
April 1996
Publication Series
Annotation
Presents the first 1994 findings from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), based on an ongoing survey of households, each year interviewing about 100,000 persons in 50,000 households.
Abstract

This annual BJS Bulletin presents the first 1994 findings from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), based on an ongoing survey of households, each year interviewing about 100,000 persons in 50,000 households. In 1994, U.S. residents age 12 or older experienced more than 42 million crimes: about 11 million violent victimizations and 31 million property crimes. Violent crimes include rape and sexual assault, robbery, and both aggravated and simple assault (from the NCVS), and homicide (from crimes reported to the police). The violent crime rate has been essentially unchanged since 1992, following a slight increase between 1985 and 1991. Property crime continued a 15-year decline. Property crimes include burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, and thefts of other property. Victims reported approximately a third of all property crimes. Motor vehicle theft was the most frequently reported crime (78%), and theft of other property was the least reported crime (27%). This report also summarizes other findings, including the extent to which crimes are reported to the police, the characteristics of victims, and comparisons between 1993 and 1994 victimization rates and levels. Both 1993 and 1994 findings are based on the redesigned survey that was phased into the sample beginning in 1992.

Date Published: April 17, 1996