victim surveys

Question 1

What are victim surveys?

Answer 1

Research tools that ask individuals about their experiences of crime, whether reported to police or not.

Question 2

Name one major UK victim survey.

Answer 2

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW).

Question 3

What is the purpose of victim surveys?

Answer 3

To identify the ‘dark figure’ of crime – crimes not recorded by police.

Question 4

hat types of crime are victim surveys best at identifying?

Answer 4

Common, personal, and household crimes (e.g., burglary, assault).

Question 5

Name one limitation of victim surveys.

Answer 5

They rely on memory and honesty—victims may forget, exaggerate, or omit crimes.

Question 6

What is a limitation regarding sample bias in victim surveys?

Answer 6

They may underrepresent certain groups, like the homeless or non-English speakers.

Question 7

How often is the Crime Survey for England and Wales conducted?

Answer 7

Annually

Question 8

What key groups are often included in special victim surveys?

Answer 8

Children (10–15), women (e.g., for domestic abuse), and ethnic minorities.

Question 9

Dobash & Dobash (1979)

feminists

Answer 9

Used interviews with female victims to explore domestic violence, revealing how it’s often hidden in official stats.

Question 10

Kelly (1988)

feminist

Answer 10

Argued for “the continuum of sexual violence,” showing how victimisation is broader than legal definitions. Victim surveys help highlight this.

Question 11

Lea and Young (1984)

left realism

Answer 11

Emphasised the importance of victim surveys to understand the real impact of crime on working-class and minority communities.

Question 12

Critique: Functionalism / Positivism

Answer 12

Victim surveys align with a positivist methodology (objective data collection), but:
* They assume victims know they’ve been victimised.
* Don’t always capture crimes like white-collar or corporate crime (Marxist critique).