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COSTS OF CRIME
Every year, crime takes an immeasurable
toll on the human spirit. It also takes millions of dollars away
from hard working citizens directly, through theft and destruction, fraud,
or arson, or indirectly, through higher premiums for car or property
insurance, increased costs of security at banks and stores, lost
productivity at work due to fear on the job or recovery from crime-related
injuries. Below are a few statistics that underscore the financial impact
that crime has on individuals, as well as the society as a whole. The statistical information presented below was complied
by the Office for Victims of Crime and distributed as a part of a
special information packet for National Crime Victims' Rights
Week.
The direct tangible
costs to crime victims annually are estimated to be $105 billion in
medical expenses, lost earnings, and public program costs related to
victim assistance. Pain, suffering and reduced quality of life increase
the cost to $450 billion annually.37
The estimated annual direct
cost of child abuse and neglect in the U.S. amounts to $24,384,347,302.00;
indirect costs amount to $69,692,535,227.00, for a total of
$94,076882,529.00.21
Victims of
burglary lost almost $3 billion in 2000. The average dollar loss per
incident was $1,462.00.24
During 1998, losses estimated at nearly $446 million were
attributed to robberies.3
The dollar value of property stolen in connection with
larceny-theft in 2000 was $5.1 billion, an average value of $735 per
incident.24
The average dollar loss of property damaged due to
reported arsons was $19,479.00 in 2000.24
During 2000, the estimated value of motor vehicles stolen
nationwide was nearly $7.8 billion, an average of $6,682.00 per vehicle.24
In 2000, the total amount paid by
Victim Compensation programs equaled $295,447,580.00 for services ranging
from medical and counseling expenses, lost wages, forensic exams,
crime-scene clean-up, and funeral expenses.25
Total economic loss
as a result of telemarketing fraud was $5,679,855.00. The average
loss per victim was $1,462.00.22
On-line auction fraud cost consumers
$4 million in 2000.23
Allowing just one youth to leave high school for a life of
crime and drug abuse costs society approximately $2 million.1
In 1996, the average cost to house each of the nation's
one million plus inmates per year was $20,142, compare to $18,400 in 1990.2
The Secret Service reports that financial losses relating
to identity fraud totaled $745 million in 1997, up from $442 million in
1995.19
The National Rehabilitation Information Center has
estimated that as much as 50% of patients who are long-term residents of
hospitals and specialized rehabilitation centers are there due to
crime-related injuries.15
REFERENCES
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