The measurement of rape victimization in crime surveys

Discusses the measurement of rape victimization in crime surveys, focusing on national and international surveys characterized by inadequate rape screening. The National Crime Victimization Survey (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1994) has maintained the same definition of rape since 1973, and has failed to detect the high rate of rape. The International Crime Survey (J. van Dijk P. Mahew, 1993) has underestimated rape victimization. The National Victims Center Survey (1992) provides national statistics on rape without reaching several high risk groups. The Canadian General Social Survey (1988) shows that sexual assault is not more common in Canada than in the US. These surveys blunt social concern for rape victims, increase backlash against them and regard rape as rare. Victimization statistics need to measure rape with more precision, and to communicate more openly to the public the crime survey limitations in detecting intimate violence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2002 APA, all rights reserved)
Author: 
Koss,Mary P.
Notes: 
LA- English AN- 1996-03659-004
Reprint Status: 
IN FILE
Start Page: 
55
End Page: 
69
Journal/Periodical Name: 
Criminal Justice and Behavior
Volume: 
23
Issue: 
1
Abstract: 
This article discusses the limitations of present crime surveys to detect intimate violence. It focuses on problems with, and redesign of, the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). Methodological problems with the NCVS include the choice of language used in surveys, failed detection of sexual assaults, ambiguity in definitions of sexual assault, and the omission of certain populations
Topic Areas: 
Prevalence; statistics
Reference Type: 
JOUR
Reference ID: 
202
Publication Date: 
1996