Crime statistics inform public policy.
For example, decisions about whether to spend money on prisons, crime prevention or victim services stem from cost-benefit analyses and costs of crime data. Proper allocation of funds for crime prevention, intervention, punishment, victim's services, and compensation requires an accurate characterization of crimes and their real costs to victims and society. Accurate measures of crime and costs contribute to assessing effectiveness of crime response programs. A paucity of data exists on criminal victimization of children and on the costs of such crimes. Prevalence rates refer to numbers of people who have experienced crime.