1. Paolo Valente UNECE Statistical Division
WORKING GROUP on STATISTICS ON CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
LUXEMBOURG, FEBRUARY 2009
UNODC-UNECE Manual on victimization surveys Progress report by the UNECE-UNODC Task Force
Paolo Valente UNECE Statistical Division

2. Background:
In 2004 UNECE-UNODC Meeting on Crime Statistics proposed creation of Task Force on Victim Surveys to:
Collect information on methodology adopted in different countries
Analyse and discuss methods used
Possibly develop methodological guidelines

3. 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

4. Main steps:
First half of 2005: Collection from member countries of information on victimization surveys
Second half of 2005: Creation of inventory of victim surveys and preliminary analysis of results
Jan. 2006: UNODC-UNECE meeting in Vienna
Preliminary results presented and discussed
Agreement on preparation of manual
Coordination with EU activities and EU Task Force
2006: Outline of manual drafted and circulate to countries for comments
2007: First drafts of manual discussed at TF meetings in Luxembourg (June) and Bologna (September)

5. Recent developments:
2008: Draft manual revised and edited by consultant
Oct. 2008: Draft manual discussed at Joint UNODC-UNECE meeting in Vienna
Dec. 2008: New revised draft prepared
2-3 Feb. 2009: Revised draft reviewed by CES Bureau

6. Next steps: March 2009: Finalisation of current final draft
April 2009: Electronic consultation with CES members (Heads of NSIs)
May 2009: Editing (Eurostat?)
June 2009: Formal endorsement by CES at annual plenary session

7. Dissemination of manual:
“Formal” dissemination and printing only after endorsement by CES (hopefully in June 2009)
“Informal” dissemination of latest draft possible with understanding that, consultation being pending, it is NOT final version