ABSTRACT
Statistics indicate that the Brooklyn and Newark cities are largely consistent with national averages (for urban areas) and with each other in their residents' likelihood of being violent-crime victims given their particular background characteristics. The two cities also reflect national averages in the sex, race, age and income of their violent-crime victims, as well. This chapter describes who gets what from victim compensation. Several questions, including inquiries about each victim's education, employment status, occupation, income, and dependents, were asked to assess each respondent's socioeconomic status. Respondents' political attitudes and efficacy might be summarized by the personal question asked about their future prospects in society. The victims in this study show a variety of general backgrounds and attitudes. But, most victims were young, married, non-white males with a low socioeconomic status and poor attitudes toward both government and criminal justice. Although the status characteristics of the respondents are interesting in themselves, victims' negative attitudes are of greatest importance to this study.
