This study estimated long-term costs to victims by various methods. This study assigned such cases the mean cost among other, similar cases with known costs. Currently there is no standardized method of measuring the impact of crime, nor are crimes well defined by reporting agencies. Little is known about the true extent and consequences of violence against, or abuse and neglect, of children. The present study makes reasonable estimates based on and extrapolating from existing data.
Cost is a promising way to unify the variables for measuring the real impact of crime.
There is a lack of accurate personal data on murder victims. This interferes with monetary assessment of loss. Institutional awareness, participation and interagency collaboration are needed to continue to collect data that will contribute to accurate, future assessments of crime costs. Data on proven violence prevention programs are absent at this point in the debate over crime costs.