European Criminology needs European Data: The case for a pan-European crime and victimization survey

Abstract

While European criminology is flourishing, we are faced with insufficient pan-European data. The European Sourcebook provides regular synchronized criminal justice system statistics, but data on crime incidence are patchy at best. Ever fewer countries conduct victimization surveys, and the data that such surveys provide are incomparable across countries because of methodological differences. It is argued that European criminology needs a survey, regularly held, in all European countries, that assesses crime incidence. While a victim survey would be the standard tool for this, perpetration questions could easily be attached to improve estimates. Additional questions would enable us to also assess whether EU victims’ rights are delivered in practice.