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Curated

Population and Subgroup Differences in the Prevalence and Predictors of Campus Sexual Assault, United States, 2016-2021 (ICPSR 39127)

Released/updated on: 2026-02-25
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2016-01-01--2021-12-31

This secondary data analysis included analyzing pre and post-test intervention data from the Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates (SAPU) online sexual assault prevention education program.

The SAPU data included a large, demographically diverse national sample of college students, allowing for a more in-depth investigation of the prevalence and predictors of sexual assault victimization and perpetration across different types of college campuses. Furthermore, the dataset included contemporaneous measures of unwanted sexual contact victimization and perpetration, dating abuse victimization, and harassment victimization.

The aims for the study included the following:

  • Aim 1: Examine variation in school-level prevalence of sexual assault victimization and perpetration by school type, size, and region from academic years (AY) 2016-2017 to 2019-2020.
  • Aim 2: Assess subgroup differences (by gender identity, sexual orientation, race) in school-level prevalence of sexual assault victimization and perpetration, accounting for school type, size, region.
  • Aim 3: Investigate the relationship between attitudes and perceptions of campus norms and self-reports of sexual assault victimization and perpetration, accounting for precampus sexual assault and individual demographics and school characteristics (type, size, region).
  • Aim 4: Examine variation in the relationship between attitudes and perceptions of campus norms and self-reports of sexual assault victimization and perpetration by subgroups (gender identity, sexual orientation, race), accounting for precampus sexual assault and individual and school characteristics (type, size, region).
  • Aim 5: Examine variation in bystander intentions, efficacy, and behaviors and self-reports of sexual assault victimization and perpetration by subgroups (gender identity, sexual orientation, race), accounting for attitudes, perceptions of campus norms, and precampus sexual assault, as well as individual and school characteristics (type, size, region).
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Cyberstalking: Research and Evaluation to Enhance Criminal Justice, United States, 2021-2023 (ICPSR 38905)

Released/updated on: 2025-12-10
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2021-01-01--2023-12-31

Cyberstalking involves using computing and communications technologies in threatening ways, such as to surveil or harass an individual (online or physically), convey threats, make false accusations about an individual, or share embarrassing information (such as nonconsensual pornography). Cyberstalking has become a mechanism commonly used by intimate-partner abusers--and even by members of extremist groups--to track and access their victims. Exacerbating this problem are new opportunities for victimization brought by digital and internet-connected surveillance devices and technologies.

This study attempted to enhance understanding of cyberstalking by offering the empirical analysis on federal cyberstalking cases. This study included the analysis of the number of federal cyberstalking cases filed over time, the characteristics of these cases (e.g., technologies involved and types of victims), and case outcomes.

Users should note that while there is mention of accompanying qualitative data, these data are not included in this release and will not be released in the future.

Curated
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Electronic Harassment: Assessment, Associations and Policy, Washington, 2013-2015 (ICPSR 36402)

Released/updated on: 2025-12-02
Geographic coverage: Oregon, United States, Washington
Time period: 2013-01-01--2015-12-31

Bullying behaviors are common among adolescents and are associated with numerous negative health and social consequences that can persist into adulthood for victims, bullies and bystanders. More recently, bullying behaviors have migrated to online platforms where they are not well understood and lack standardized definitions. Thus, current efforts to understand prevalence and promote appropriate policies lack a strong evidence base.

By applying Concept Mapping and recruiting participants, including adolescents and professionals representing education, health and the justice system, the study team attempts to fills these gaps by creating a standardized definition of electronic harassment and an associated measurement tool. Further outcomes will include several manuscripts describing the findings submitted to health and social science conferences and journals, and dissemination efforts involving community leaders and local media. Upon successful completion of these objectives the diverse and multidisciplinary research team will disseminate these findings in the public health, education and policy arenas.

Curated
Simple Crosstabs

Extending Bystander Intervention Prevention Models from College Campuses to the Workplace, United States, 2022 (ICPSR 38659)

Released/updated on: 2023-10-12
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2022-01-01--2022-12-31
In this exploratory study, the research team examined factors such as power dynamics and social identity that affect a bystander's (individuals who directly or indirectly witness harassment, discrimination, or another form of violence happening to someone else) decision to intervene in events of harassment and discrimination at their workplace. The specific objectives of this study were to: (1) Understand the environment in which workplace harassment and discrimination occurs by analyzing the frequencies of individual events by type and location; (2) Assess contextual variables influencing bystander decisions through analyses of bystander interpretations of the event of harassment/discrimination and motivations for inaction/action; and (3) Contextualize bystander responses by understanding how the workplace environment and the bystander's assessment of power and identities of those involved interplay. The project used a survey design with quantitative data collected from employed adults in the United States (n=1,484) via Qualtrics online survey.
Curated

National Crime Victimization Survey: Supplemental Victimization Survey, [United States], 2019 (ICPSR 37950)

Released/updated on: 2022-02-10
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2019-01-01--2019-12-31

The Supplemental Victimization Survey (SVS) data measure the prevalence of nonfatal stalking victimization among persons age 16 or older, the characteristics of stalking victims, and patterns of reporting to the police and other authorities so that policymakers, academic researchers, practitioners at the federal, state and local levels, and advocates can make informed decisions concerning policies and programs. The SVS also collects important characteristics of stalking such as the physical and emotional impact on victims, offender information, measures of self-protective actions, and the criminal justice system response. The SVS asks questions related to victims' experiences of unwanted contacts or behaviors during the previous 12 months. These responses are linked to the NCVS survey instrument responses for a more complete understanding of the stalking victim's circumstances. The 2019 SVS was the third administration of this NCVS supplement. The first SVS administration was in 2006. SVS releases from 2016 and after are not comparable to the 2006 SVS data because the survey instrument underwent a redesign with SVS 2016.

Curated

National Crime Victimization Survey: Supplemental Victimization Survey, [United States], 2016 (ICPSR 36841)

Released/updated on: 2021-04-15
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2016-01-01--2016-12-31

The Supplemental Victimization Survey (SVS) data measure the prevalence of nonfatal stalking victimization among persons age 16 or older, the characteristics of stalking victims, and patterns of reporting to the police and other authorities so that policymakers, academic researchers, practitioners at the federal, state and local levels, and advocates can make informed decisions concerning policies and programs. The SVS also collects important characteristics of stalking such as the physical and emotional impact on victims, offender information, measures of self-protective actions, and the criminal justice system response. The SVS asks questions related to victims' experiences of unwanted contacts or behaviors during the previous 12 months. These responses are linked to the NCVS survey instrument responses for a more complete understanding of the stalking victim's circumstances. The 2016 SVS was the second administration of this NCVS supplement. The first SVS administration was in 2006. The 2016 SVS data are not comparable to the 2006 SVS data as the survey instrument underwent a redesign.

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A Randomized Impact Evaluation of the No Bully System, California, 2015-2017 (ICPSR 37268)

Released/updated on: 2019-05-28
Geographic coverage: United States, California
Time period: 2015-09-01--2017-06-30

These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.

Bullying affects large numbers of U.S. students in elementary schools and is associated with short and long-term harms for both victims and bullies. Although prevention is critical, schools also need effective interventions for dealing with bullying once it occurs. Funded by the National Institute of Justice, and in collaboration with the Oakland Unified School District and No Bully, WestEd conducted a two-year study of the impacts of the No Bully System (NBS) - a set of interventions designed to activate adult and peer support systems within the school for the targets of bullying. No Bully trains staff to prevent and interrupt student harassment and bullying and ensure school-wide antibullying policies are in place. The core component of NBS is the Solution Team where a trained adult facilitator (Solution Coach) brings together a group of 6-8 students (Solution Team) that includes the bully or bullies, bystanders and pro-social peers, and leads the team through a series of three brief meetings to end the bullying of one of their peers by cultivating empathy and developing peer-driven solutions. The target is not included in the initial meetings though s/he is invited to attend the final session.

The collection contains 2 SPSS data files: NoBully_ST-Log-Data_final_archive.sav (n=94; 47 variables) and No-Bully_Survey-Data_final.sav (n=6410; 204 variables).

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Technology-Involved Harassment Victimization: Placement in a Broader Victimization Context, 2013-2014 [United States] (ICPSR 36096)

Released/updated on: 2017-12-18
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2013-12-12--2014-03-03

These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.

The study provides nationally representative and detailed data on technology-based harassment victimization incidents, understanding these victimizations in the context of a broad range of previous and current youth victimization experiences. Data are from the Technology Harassment Victimization (THV) Study, funded by the National Institute of Justice - a national telephone survey of a subset of 791 youth who took part in the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence II, 1993-2012 [United States] (ICPSR 36177).

The collection includes 2 SPSS data files and 1 Stata syntax file:

  1. Full_THV_child-level_Wave_2_dataset__archive_ICPSR.sav (n=791; 677 variables)
  2. THV_incident-level_data__archive_ICPSR.sav (n=311; 140 variables)
  3. summary_do_file.do
The syntax file is designed to reproduce tables from the study's final report.
Curated
Simple Crosstabs

After the JD, Wave 3: A Longitudinal Study of Careers in Transition, 2012-2013, United States (ICPSR 35480)

Released/updated on: 2014-11-25
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2012-05-01--2013-01-31
The After the JD (AJD) project is a longitudinal study that was designed to track the careers of a nationally representative cohort of lawyers admitted to the bar in the year 2000. This collection is the third wave of the After the JD Project. The first wave of the After the JD project (AJD1) [ICPSR 26302] provided a snapshot of the personal lives and careers of this cohort about three years after they began practicing law. The second wave of the After the JD project (AJD2) [ICPSR 33584] sought to illuminate the progression of lawyers' careers through roughly seven years in practice. The third wave (AJD3) continued to shed light on lawyers' 12-year professional and personal pathways. After 12 years, the AJD lawyers had a decade of work experience behind them, and the contours of their careers were more clearly shaped. Throughout their professional careers, these lawyers had experienced important transitions (such as promotion to partnership, marriage, and job changes), which were only in process by Wave 2. AJD3 marked a significant milestone, essential to assess the personal and career trajectories of this cohort of lawyers. AJD3 sought to locate and survey only individuals who had previously responded to either AJD1 or AJD2. Sample members who never responded to any survey wave were not located in AJD3. The AJD3 data collection started in May 2012 and was completed in early 2013. The dataset allowed for the analysis of a broad range of questions about the careers of lawyers and the social organization of the American legal profession. Topics covered include current professional employment, impact of economic downturn, type of work, clients, mentors, employment history, social, political, and community participation, and background and family information. Demographics include ethnicity, employment status, sexuality, marital status, age, and gender.
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Exploring the Drugs-Crime Connection Within the Electronic Dance Music and Hip Hop Nightclub Scenes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2005-2006 (ICPSR 21187)

Released/updated on: 2013-01-15
Geographic coverage: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Time period: 2005-04-01--2006-12-31
To explore the relationship between alcohol, drugs, and crime in the electronic dance music and hip hop nightclub scenes of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, researchers utilized a multi-faceted ethnographic approach featuring in-depth interviews with 51 respondents (Dataset 1, Initial Interview Qualitative Data) and two Web-based follow-up surveys with respondents (Dataset 2, Follow-Up Surveys Quantitative Data). Recruitment of respondents began in April of 2005 and was conducted in two ways. Slightly more than half of the respondents (n = 30) were recruited with the help of staff from two small, independent record stores. The remaining 21 respondents were recruited at electronic dance music or hip hop nightclub events. Dataset 1 includes structured and open-ended questions about the respondent's background, living situation and lifestyle, involvement and commitment to the electronic dance music and hip hop scenes, nightclub culture and interaction therein, and experiences with drugs, criminal activity, and victimization. Dataset 2 includes descriptive information on how many club events were attended, which ones, and the activities (including drug use and crime/victimization experiences) taking place therein. Dataset 3 (Demographic Quantitative Data) includes coded demographic information from the Dataset 1 interviews.
Curated

After the JD 2: A Longitudinal Study of Careers in Transition, 2007-2008, United States (ICPSR 33584)

Released/updated on: 2012-08-14
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2007-01-01--2008-12-31
The After the JD (AJD) project is a longitudinal study that is designed to track the careers of a nationally representative cohort of lawyers admitted to the bar in the year 2000. The first wave of the After the JD Study (AJD1) [ICPSR 26302] provided a snapshot of the personal lives and careers of this cohort about three years after they began practicing law. The second wave of the After the JD project (AJD2) seeks to illuminate the progression of lawyers' careers through roughly seven years in practice. The seventh year marks a crucial period in the careers of young lawyers. At the same time that they are facing important career decisions, these young lawyers are experiencing significant personal decisions about marriage and having children. AJD2 sought to locate and survey the entire original sample that was constructed in AJD1, even if a sample member had not been located or surveyed in AJD1. Only those individuals found to be ineligible for the study because they did not meet the required time period for obtaining their law degree and passing the bar were excluded. AJD2 obtained completed surveys of 3,705 eligible respondents, which includes 70.4 percent of the respondents to AJD1 (a group referred to as AJD1 Respondents) and 26.9 percent of those who were not surveyed in wave 1 (a group referred to as AJD1 Nonrespondents). The AJD2 data collection effort was launched in 2007 and completed in early 2008, with an overall response rate of 50.6 percent of eligible participants. As the legal profession has become more diverse in terms of entrants, it is critical to understand how women, men and women of color, individuals from less advantaged economic backgrounds, and other traditionally disadvantaged groups build careers. To examine the experiences of these groups at distinctive stages of their professional lives and to compare their career experiences to those of their peers, investigators were able to collect information about whether respondents' experiences were different from the outset or whether career trajectories diverge over time, what career strategies appear most successful for young lawyers, and whether these strategies vary by gender, race, and class; by legal market; by the selectivity of the law school from which lawyers graduate; or other dimensions. The AJD2 dataset allows for the analysis of a broad range of questions about the careers of lawyers and the social organization of the American legal profession. For example, some of the topics the study examines are: (1) demographic characteristics; (2) job mobility; (3) career satisfaction; (4) convergence/divergence in the career patterns of women and minorities; (5) indications of continuing inequality by gender; (6) family formation and the effects on professional careers; (7) career trajectories. AJD2 aims to provide a solid basis for future efforts to understand the changing character of legal careers. The final phase of the AJD2 data collection ended before the onslaught of the global financial crisis in the fall of 2008. Consequently, the data do not account for the profound effects of these turbulent events. The third wave of the study (AJD3) anticipates investigating these issues and many other similarly important transitions.
Curated

Eurobarometer 69.1: Discrimination, Radioactive Waste, and Purchasing in the European Union, February-March 2008 (ICPSR 25163)

Released/updated on: 2011-03-22
Geographic coverage: Cyprus, Portugal, Global, Malta, Greece, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Latvia, Luxembourg, Ireland, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, France, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, Europe, United Kingdom, Spain, Czech Republic, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Estonia
Time period: 2008-02-18--2008-03-22
This round of Eurobarometer surveys diverged from the standard Eurobarometer measures and queried respondents on the following major areas of focus: (1) discrimination, (2) radioactive waste, and (3) purchasing in the European Union (EU). For the first major focus, discrimination, respondents were queried about how widespread various types of discrimination were, how common they were compared with five years ago, if in the past year they had personally felt discriminated against or witnessed discrimination, and the existence of multiple discrimination. Additional queries included how comfortable respondents would be with having a person from a different minority group as a neighbor, what criteria would put an employment candidate at a disadvantage, their feelings about having people from different minority groups holding the highest elected political position in their country, opinions about specific measures for equal opportunity in employment, whether enough effort was made to fight discrimination, and if they would know their rights if a victim of discrimination. For the second major focus, radioactive waste, respondents were asked how informed they felt about radioactive waste, their opinions about nuclear energy, its management and the advantages of its use, and their opinions about radioactive waste and its disposal. Further queries asked respondents whom they trusted to give them information about radioactive waste management, their reactions to a radioactive waste site being built near their home, and their opinions about the management and monitoring practices of radioactive waste between EU member states and the EU. For the third major focus, purchasing in the European Union, respondents were queried about whether they had purchased or tried to purchase goods/services in the last 12 months, in their own and in another EU country, the total value of purchases, and whether they had offers from sellers in other EU countries. Queries also asked if respondents experienced unsolicited, deceptive, or fraudulent offers, coercion, unfair contract terms, shopping at a distance, the cooling-off period, making complaints, and their interest and confidence in cross-border shopping in comparison to shopping in their own country. Finally, on the same topic, respondents were asked about their use of price comparison Web sites, the protection of consumers and the process for resolving disputes, financial services, holiday packages, and nonfood purchases. Demographic and other background information includes age, gender, nationality, origin of birth (personal and parental), marital status, left-right political self-placement, occupation, age when stopped full-time education, household composition, religious affiliation, ownership of a fixed or a mobile telephone and other durable goods, social contacts, minority group affiliation, quality of life pertaining to health, type and size of locality, region of residence, and language of interview (in select countries).
Curated

Eurobarometer 65.4: Discrimination in the EU, Organized Crime, Medical Research, Vehicle Intelligence Systems, and Humanitarian Aid, June-July 2006 (ICPSR 21442)

Released/updated on: 2010-06-30
Geographic coverage: Cyprus, Portugal, Global, Malta, Greece, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Latvia, Luxembourg, Ireland, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, France, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, Europe, United Kingdom, Spain, Czech Republic, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Estonia
Time period: 2006-06-07--2006-07-12
This round of Eurobarometer surveys diverged from the Standard Eurobarometer measures and queried respondents on (1) discrimination in the European Union (EU), (2) fighting against organized crime, (3) science and research, (4) justice, freedom, and security policies, (5) intelligent systems in vehicles, and (6) EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO). For the first topic, discrimination in the EU, respondents were asked to identify to what extent different types of discrimination or nondiscrimination occurs, factors which may affect employment, the need for diversity in the workplace and government, and the advantages of membership to a particular social group. In addition, respondents were asked about combating discrimination through the role of organizations or as an individual, and about laws prohibiting discrimination. Secondly, the survey queried respondents about fighting organized crime. Respondents provided their opinions about the implementation of witness protection, frequency and prevention of identity and tax fraud, and the involvement of the EU in developing policy on witness protection. In regard to the third topic, science and research, respondents were asked to identify their interests, their knowledge of collaborative research projects, information sources accessed and trusted pertaining to scientific research, and personal association with individuals who have a chronic or life-threatening disease. For the fourth topic, respondents were asked questions about justice, freedom and security policies including their views in regard to EU decision-making and priorities in enacting or developing policies pertaining to social issues. For the next topic, intelligent systems in vehicles, the survey asked respondents about their driving habits and automobiles, as well as the distance they traveled per year. In addition, they provided their opinion about selecting or not selecting a particular car safety system such as an anti-lock breaking system or an electronic stability system, the development of these systems, and the implementation of systems that collect driver information. Finally, the survey collected information on respondents' views regarding the role of countries in providing aid to victims of natural disasters or conflicts outside of the EU, their knowledge of organizations that fund humanitarian aid, including the European Commission and its Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), and the disbursement of aid. Demographic and other background information includes age, gender, origin of birth (personal and parental), marital status, left-right political self-placement, occupation, age at completion of full-time education, household composition, religious affiliation, ownership of a fixed or a mobile telephone, social contacts, and quality of life pertaining to health. In addition, country-specific data include type and size of locality, region of residence, and language of interview select countries).
Curated

National Crime Victimization Survey: Stalking Victimization Supplement, 2006 (ICPSR 20080)

Released/updated on: 2009-01-16
Geographic coverage: United States
Time period: 2006-01-01--2006-12-31
The Supplemental Victimization Survey (SVS) was designed to measure the prevalence, characteristics, and consequences of nonfatal stalking so that policymakers, academic researchers, practitioners at the federal, state and local levels, and advocates could make informed decisions concerning policies and programs. The SVS asks questions related to victims' experiences of unwanted contact or harassing behavior on two or more occasions during the previous 12 months. The survey provides information about the following dimensions of stalking behavior: relationship of the perpetrator to victim; onset, duration, and desistance; other crimes and injuries committed against the victim in conjunction with stalking; victim response; criminal justice response; and cost to victim. These responses are linked to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) survey instrument responses for a more complete understanding of the stalking victim's circumstances. The 2006 SVS was a one-time supplement to the annual NCVS to obtain specific information about stalking victimization on a national level. This supplement was sponsored by the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) in the United States Department of Justice. Since the SVS is a supplement to the NCVS, it is conducted under the authority of Title 42, United States Code, Section 3732. Only Census employees sworn to preserve confidentiality may see the completed questionnaires.
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Statewide Profile of Abuse of Older Women and the Criminal Justice Response in Rhode Island, 2002 (ICPSR 22740)

Released/updated on: 2008-08-18
Geographic coverage: Rhode Island, United States
Time period: 1979-01-01--2007-12-31
This study examined the often overlooked and under reported issue of elder abuse. The research focused on female victims of domestic abuse over 50 years of age. The data were also compared to similar data on women under the age of 50. The data were collected in Rhode Island for several reasons, including the state's relatively broad definition of domestic violence and the large number of reports. Researchers examined every domestic violence report made to state and local law enforcement across Rhode Island in 2002 involving women victims 50 years of age and older. These reports include every incident, whether or not police ultimately arrested the alleged suspect, that meets the statutory definition of "domestic violence." The source of the report information was the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Reporting Form (DV/SA). Data were also collected about the past criminal activity of the suspects and any charges made after the study incident(s) occurred. The data were found in the Rhode Island Courts' central repository called CourtConnect. The purpose of the study was to better understand the characteristics of the victims and their abusers, the circumstances of the incidences of abuse, and the police response to the reports of domestic abuse. Data collected consisted of independent variables which are organized into conceptual clusters including those relating to victim characteristics, abuser characteristics, the nature of the incident, and the state's response to the incident. The victim characteristics included demographics and abuse history, if any. Abuser characteristics included demographics and criminal history. Incident characteristics described the abuse incidence in detail. Criminal justice response variables outlined how police and courts responded and reacted to the abuse. There were two dependent outcome variables in this study consisting of re-victimization and re-abuse. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate relationships, and multiple logistic regression. This study primarily focused on the response of the criminal justice system to elder abuse, the effect of age of victim, and re-abuse and re-victimization in order to gain a clearer picture into the realities of domestic abuse of elderly women.
Curated

Bethlehem [Pennsylvania] Police Family Group Conferencing Project, 1993-1997 (ICPSR 2679)

Released/updated on: 2006-03-30
Geographic coverage: United States, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Time period: 1993-01-01--1997-12-31
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of conferencing as a restorative policing practice. Family group conferencing is considered an important new development in restorative justice practice as a means of dealing more effectively with young first-time offenders by diverting them from court and involving their extended families and victims in conferences to address their wrongdoing. Cases deemed eligible for the study were property crimes including retail and other thefts, criminal mischief and trespass, and violent crimes including threats, harassment, disorderly conduct, and simple assaults. A total of 140 property crime cases and 75 violent crime cases were selected for the experiment, with two-thirds of each type randomly assigned to a diversionary conference (treatment group) and one-third of each type assigned to formal adjudication (control group). Participation in the conference was voluntary. If either party declined or if the offender did not admit responsibility for the offense, the case was processed through normal criminal justice channels. Those cases constituted a second treatment group (decline group). The Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Police Department and the Community Service Foundation conducted a two-year study on the effectiveness of police-based family group conferencing. Beginning on November 1, 1995, 64 conferences were conducted for the study. Approximately two weeks after their cases were disposed, victims, offenders, and offenders' parents in the three experimental groups (control, conference, decline) were surveyed by mail, in-person interviews, or telephone interviews. Those who participated in conferences (Parts 4, 6, and 8) received a different questionnaire than those whose cases went through formal adjudication (Parts 5, 7, and 9), with similar questions to allow for comparison and some questions particular to the type of processing used on their case. Disposition data on cases were collected from five district magistrates in Bethlehem from January 1, 1993, to September 12, 1997. Data on recidivism and outcomes of the control and decline group cases were obtained from (1) the Bethlehem Police Department arrest database (Part 1) and (2) a database of records from the five district magistrates serving Bethlehem, drawn from a statewide magistrate court database compiled by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (Part 2). An attitudinal and work environment survey was administered to the Bethlehem Police Department on two occasions, just before the conferencing program commenced (pre-test) and eighteen months later (post-test) (Part 3). Part 1 variables include offender age, year of offense, charge code, amounts of fine and payments, crime type, offender crime category, and disposition. Part 2 collected disposition data on cases in the study and officers' observations on the conferences. Demographic variables include offender's age at current arrest, ethnicity, and gender. Other variables include type of charge, arrest, disposition, sentence, and recidivism, reason not conferenced, current recorded charge class, amounts of total fines, hours of community service, and conditions of sentence. Part 3 collected information on police attitudes and work environment before and after the conferencing program. Variables on organizational issues include ratings on communication, morale, co-workers, supervision, administration, amenities, equipment, and promotions. Variables on operational issues include ratings on danger, victims, frustration, external activities, complaints, workload, and driving. In Parts 4 to 9, researchers asked offenders, parents of offenders, and victims about their perceptions of how their cases were handled by the justice system and the fairness of the process, their attitudes and beliefs about the justice system, and their attitudes toward the victim and offender. Variables include whether the respondent was satisfied with the way the justice system handled the case, if the offender was held accountable for the offense, if meeting with the victim was helpful, if the respondent was surprised by anything in the conference, if the respondent told the victim/offender how he/she felt, if there was an opportunity to reach an agreement acceptable to all, if the offender/parents apologized, if the victim/parents had a better opinion of the offender after the conference, what the respondent's attitude toward the conference was, if the respondent would recommend a conference to others, if the offender was pressured to do all the talking, if the offender was treated with respect, if victim participation was insincere, if the respondent had a better understanding of how the victim was affected, if the victim only wanted to be paid back, and if conferences were responsive to needs.
Curated

Mentally Disordered Offenders in Pursuit of Celebrities and Politicians (ICPSR 6007)

Released/updated on: 2006-03-30
Geographic coverage: United States
These data were collected to develop a means of identifying those individuals most likely to be dangerous to others because of their pursuit of public figures. Another objective of the study was to gather detailed quantitative information on harassing and threatening communications to public figures and to determine what aspects of written communications are predictive of future behavior. Based on the fact that each attack by a mentally disordered person in which an American public figure was wounded had occurred in connection with a physical approach within 100 yards, the investigators reasoned that accurate predictions of such physical approaches could serve as proxies for the less feasible task of accurate prediction of attacks. The investigators used information from case files of subjects who had pursued two groups of public figures, politicians and celebrities. The data were drawn from the records of the United States Capitol Police and a prominent Los Angeles-based security consulting firm, Gavin de Becker, Inc. Information was gathered from letters and other communications of the subjects, as well as any other sources available, such as police records or descriptions of what occurred during interviews. The data include demographic information such as sex, age, race, marital status, religion, and education, family history information, background information such as school and work records, military history, criminal history, number of communications made, number of threats made, information about subjects' physical appearance, psychological and emotional evaluations, information on travel/mobility patterns, and approaches made.
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