In 1999, a violent crime occurred every 22 seconds and someone was murdered every 34 minutes in the United States. The estimated number of personal crime victimizations in the nation was 6.6 million in 2000.
Crime victims suffer a tremendous amount of physical and psychological trauma.
The physical injury suffered by victims may be as apparent as cuts, bruises, or broken arms and legs. However, it is not uncommon for victims to be fatigued, unable to sleep, or have increased or decreased appetites. Many victims believe that the stress caused by victimization endangers them to physical problems later in life. Victims and survivors suffer financially when their money or jewelry is taken, when their property is damaged, when their medical insurances does not cover all expenses, and when they must pay funeral costs. The primary emotional injuries of victimization cause both immediate and long-term reactions to victims, their loved ones and, sometimes, their friends.