The 2023 Jamaica National Crime Victimisation Survey (JNCVS) report, which provides data-driven insights into crime patterns across the island and their associated impact on citizens, was launched on March 28.
The survey, which is in its sixth instalment, was commissioned by the Ministry of National Security and undertaken by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).
STATIN said the individual surveys were conducted between November 2023 and February 2024.
Of the 3,294 eligible households selected, 84.8 per cent responded. Respondents consisted of Jamaicans aged 16 years and older residing in private dwellings.
Delivering the main address at the survey launch at the AC Marriott Hotel in New Kingston, portfolio minister Dr Horace Chang, noted the importance of data-driven strategies in the fight against crime.
He said the survey will provide the relevant authorities with a feel of what is happening in communities and the communities’ perception of government-sanctioned security operations.
“The data has considerable value in planning, examining the outcomes of efforts over the reporting period and for strategising as we move forward. Using data to plan programmes and design policy is crucial in the modern world,” the minister argued.
Chang commended STATIN for its work in providing empirical data on national issues, noting that this allows for improved planning and development.
The minister’s remarks were emphasised by Permanent Secretary Alison Stone Roofe, who said the launch of the 2023 JNCVS marks a significant milestone in the collective efforts to better understand the complexities of crime and victimisation in Jamaica.
“It is a matter of public record that we are making steady progress with the significant decline in major crimes, including murder. However, we are not going to be complacent, as there is a lot of work still to be done to achieve even further reductions. Therefore, the need for evidence-based policymaking and holistic approaches to social problems has driven the demand for the Jamaica National Crime Victimisation Survey and other research products by the ministry’s research branch,” she explained.
Ambassador Stone Roofe added that the survey represents a critical step towards developing effective crime-fighting strategies to prevent and respond to victimisation and to create a safer and more just society for all.
Meanwhile, acting STATIN director-general Leesha Delatie-Budair said the JNCVS launch is demonstrative of the institute’s continued partnership with other public-sector agencies to produce reliable official statistics to inform decision-making.
She underscored that the results of the new JNCVS will prove essential in understanding crime and its impact on individuals and communities in Jamaica.
“It builds on previous rungs and provides insights into key trends. Statistics remain one of the key tools in shaping policies that address vital social and economic challenges, including crime and public safety. Therefore, offering data-driven insights will support the development of evidence-based crime-prevention strategies,” she outlined.
Delatie-Budair explained further that the JNCVS provides a deeper understanding of crime in Jamaica beyond what is reported, because it offers first-hand experiences from the victims themselves.
The acting director-general added that the survey supports the monitoring of progress made towards achieving Jamaica’s Vision 2030 goals and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She urged stakeholders, “to use the insights from the 2023 JNCVS to inform decision-making and public safety strategies to make Jamaica safer for all”.
One of the key findings of the 2023 JNCVS is that the perception of safety among Jamaicans remains high.
According to STATIN, nine out of every 10 Jamaicans believe they are safe in their homes and other places they visit frequently, such as churches, schools and workplaces.
The survey also found that most Jamaicans (83.2 per cent) believe their children are safe in their communities.
The 2023 JNCVS also pointed to a decline in household victimisation in the three years since the last survey was conducted (2019).
It, however, pointed to a slight increase in cases of personal victimisation, with the rate moving from 10.8 per cent in 2019 to 14.2 per cent in 2023.
The full 2023 JNCVS report is available to the public via the websites of the national security ministry and STATIN.
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