What is one advantage of victimisation surveys?

Victimization surveys are designed to gather data on crime from individuals, regardless of whether or not those crimes have been reported to the police. One significant advantage of these surveys is that they provide anonymous responses from the public. This anonymity encourages honest and open disclosures about experiences with crime, capturing a wider range of incidents, including those that may not have been reported to law enforcement. This ability to gather information on unreported crimes adds depth to our understanding of victimization and crime prevalence, which traditional data sources might overlook.

Providing anonymity is crucial, as it helps to alleviate fears of stigma or reprisal, leading to more accurate and comprehensive data. This aspect enhances the reliability of the findings and allows researchers to gain insights into the actual levels of crime and victimization in society, contributing valuable information for policy-making and crime prevention strategies.