Abstract

A sample of 391 adult females were interviewed about lifetime criminal victimization experiences, crime reporting, and psychological impact. In total, 75% of the sample (n = 295) had been victimized by crime, and 41.4% of all crimes were reported to the police. Reporting rates differed by crime type. Burglary had the highest reporting rate (82.4%); and sexual assault the lowest (7.1%). Of all crime victims, 27.8% subsequently developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Major implications are the following: Prevalence rates are extremely high and reporting rates are low. The prevalence of PTSD indicates that crime has both an immediate and long-term psychological impact. Suggestions for improved victim services are discussed.

Keywords

PsychologyPsychiatryInjury preventionOccupational safety and healthClinical psychologyPosttraumatic stressSexual assaultHuman factors and ergonomicsSuicide preventionPoison controlSample (material)MedicineMedical emergency

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Publication Info

Year
1987
Type
article
Volume
33
Issue
4
Pages
479-489
Citations
450
Access
Closed

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Cite This

Dean G. Kilpatrick, Benjamin E. Saunders, Lois J. Veronen et al. (1987). Criminal Victimization: Lifetime Prevalence, Reporting to Police, and Psychological Impact. Crime & Delinquency , 33 (4) , 479-489. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128787033004005

Identifiers

DOI
10.1177/0011128787033004005