1. Paolo Valente UNECE Statistical Division
EUROSTAT TASK FORCE ON VICTIMISATION
LUXEMBOURG, 4-5 JUNE 2009
The UNODC-UNECE Manual on Victimization Surveys: Short report on preparation and finalization of the manual
Paolo Valente UNECE Statistical Division

2. Objectives of Task Force:
Manual prepared by the UNECE-UNODC Task Force on Victimisation Surveys, created in 2005 (under CES Work Programme)
Objectives of Task Force:
To collect from countries information on victimization surveys conducted and planned
To analyse and discuss methods used to conduct victimization surveys in different countries
To consider developing methodological guidelines for the development of national victimisation surveys

3. Membership of the Task Force:
AUSTRALIA (Chair)
CANADA
ITALY
NETHERLANDS
POLAND
UNITED KINGDOM
UNITED STATES
UNECE
UNODC
Eurostat
EU-FRA
HEUNI

4. Preliminary work of Task Force
First half of 2005: Collection of information on victimization surveys conducted or planned by ECE member countries, using specific questionnaire
Second half of 2005: Preparation of first draft inventory (about 80 surveys from 30 countries) and preliminary analysis of results
Jan. 2006: UNECE-UNODC meeting in Vienna:
Preliminary results presented and discussed
Agreement on preparation of manual
Coordination with EU Task Force

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

6. Preparation of manual:
2006: Draft outline for manual prepared and discussed (various versions); Work on draft manual started
2007: Various versions of draft manual prepared and discussed at TF meetings
2008: Consultant improved text, filled gaps
Oct. 2008: New draft version discussed at UNECE-UNODC Meeting in Vienna

7. Latest developments: Feb. 2009: Draft manual reviewed by CES Bureau:
Electronic consultation among CES members requested
Manual to be submitted to CES for adoption in June 2009
Eurostat to provide support for final English editing
April-May 2009: Electronic consultation among CES members (draft available on UNECE website and CIRCA)
May-June 2009: Comments received summarised in a note for CES

8. Next steps (plans):
8-10 June 2009: Discussion at CES plenary session and eventual endorsement, possibly subject to amendments
Aug. 2009: Editing completed
Sep.-Oct. 2009: Dissemination of electronic version on UNECE and UNODC websites
End early 2010: Printed version and possibly CD available
2nd half of 2010: Dissemination and printing of Russian version (to be confirmed)
Translation into other languages (French?) to be negotiated