1. UNECE-UNODC Task Force on Victim Surveys
Anna Alvazzi del Frate
UNODC
7 February 2008

2. Membership of the UNECE-UNODC Task Force
Country representatives from:
Australia (Chair)
Canada
Italy
Netherlands
Poland UK
USA
Eurostat and HEUNI (the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the UN) also participate regularly in the work of the Task Force

3. Progress / 1
In 2005 a questionnaire was developed to collect detailed information from countries on victim surveys conducted in the past or planned
Results processed and used to create an inventory of victim surveys
Data in the inventory were used by the Task Force as a basis to prepare technical reports on practices adopted by countries with regard to victim surveys and on different methodological aspects.

4. Progress / 2
Between the , the Task Force members prepared a first draft of the various chapters of the manual.
The draft was discussed at meetings in Luxembourg (June 2007) and Bologna (September 2007).
The Task Force is finalising a second draft of the manual (by mid-February 2008).
An editor has been appointed to revise and consolidate the manuscript.

5. Purpose of the Manual
To provide basic information for developing national victimization surveys
To identify key issues to assist in decision making about survey approach, methodology, analysis and presentation of results
To improve comparability of victim survey data across countries
To provide reference to more technical material
To give options and identify best practices

6. The Manual
The Manual has a focus on building capacity in national statistical offices and/or government institutions responsible for collecting victimization data.
It mostly deals with household surveys on victimisation of general population, but also includes examples of surveys targeting sub-population groups (women, minorities, …), as well as an annex on surveys of businesses.
It contains examples based on information from the UNECE-UNODC inventory of victim surveys.

7. Structure and content Introduction Starting points
Methodological issues
Comparability of data across countries
Annexes
Glossary of survey-related terms
Module to be included in national surveys to improve international comparability
Business surveys

8. Next steps
A joint UNECE-UNODC Meeting on Crime Statistics will be held (mid 2008) to review and discuss the revised draft manual with national experts.
It is expected that the Manual will be finalised between the end of 2008 and early 2009.