Mainstreaming Methodology for Estimating Costs of Crime
The costs of crime to victims often attract headlines, whether in aggregate or in relation to individual incidents. In some circumstances, such as unsettled low income countries, they can account for a sizeable proportion of GDP.
In this section we look in turn at the principal categories of loss to victims.
Property loss looks at the measurement of property loss. The focus is on estimating losses to households, for example the value of items stolen or damaged.
Emotional and physical "intagible" harm looks at the pain and suffering resulting from personal injury in an assault, which may include psychic loss or PTSD
Productivity loss looks at the time lost from work as a result of criminal victimisation.
Health Services looks at the costs to health services (whether funded through the public sector or otherwise) incurred in treating victims of crimes involving violence, or the threat of violence.
Victim Support Services looks at the costs of supplying support to victims in the immediate aftermath of a crime.
Household services looks at the interruption of normal daily activities as a result of crime that leaves victims either relying on other household members to increase their service contribution or having to employ external suppliers of these services.
Lost School Days looks at valuing the interruption to education that may result for victims still in full-time education.
Legal Expenses looks at the costs incurred by victims of bringing their own private actions against offenders. In most European countries there may be some form of social insurance against such costs but, as with medical care, the funding of the services is a separate matter.
Long term Consequences of Victimization looks at the longer term effects of crime. For example victims may want to relocate following a crime. There may also be longer term consequences of business crime. Businesses may leave an industry or an area in extreme circumstances if they have incurred significant or sustained loss from crime.
Offender Costs looks at the costs incurred in carrying on criminal activity. Money laundering, for example, may involve setting up elaborate (time-consuming) arrangements that would not otherwise be put in place.
