$6 Million Set Aside for Crime Victimisation Programme

A sum of $6 million has been earmarked in the 2012-2013 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, for the Jamaica National Crime Victimisation Survey.

The project is being implemented by the Ministry of National Security, with support funding from the United Kingdom Department of International Development (DFID).

Objectives under the programme, which is scheduled to run from June 2012 to March 2013, include: to contribute to the detailed and accurate analysis of major crime trends in Jamaica; and the provision of data on the type and incidence of crimes not reported to the police.

It also aims to provide uniform data on specific types of crime, which will form the basis for future comparisons at the community, national and international levels; develop detailed information on criminal victimisation, including demographic data on victims; and to generate important comparative data on the outcome of targeted social interventions in specific communities.

For this financial year, the government hopes to complete the first statistical consultancy for the project, which will be completed by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN); submit sample design and finalisation of questionnaire, end field work report, final technical report and datasets; complete production of an ‘inception report’ that provides details about the survey methodology prior to the commencement of fieldwork; and draft final report and submission.

Physical achievements up to June 2012 include the draft of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the DFID on April 16.

By Athaliah Reynolds-Baker, JIS Reporter