Inter-American Development Bank (2016). Trinidad and Tobago: Latin American Public Opinion Project - Victimization and Crime survey 2014. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/jawbs0sh

1. English

How is this dataset aligned with the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)?

The victimization module was developed using NCVS-aligned methodology, capturing non-reported crime, personal experiences with crime, perceptions of safety, and trust in law enforcement—making it suitable for comparative global analyses.

Is this dataset part of the official U.S. National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)?

No. This is a regionally adapted survey from the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP), implemented in Trinidad & Tobago. However, the victimization module was designed to align with the NCVS framework, making it a valuable comparative resource for crime researchers and policy analysts.

Who is included in the sample?

The survey includes individuals aged 16 and older, drawn from a nationally representative sample across urban and rural regions, including specific oversamples for key metropolitan zones.

What types of crime data are available?

It includes both direct victimization (e.g., theft, assault) and perceived threats, as well as attitudes toward police responsiveness, justice system fairness, and feelings of public safety.

Are technical documents and survey instruments included?

Yes. The dataset is accompanied by full technical documentation, codebooks, and the original questionnaires in English—supporting transparent and replicable analysis.

Can this data support policy design or evaluation?

Absolutely. This dataset enables evidence-based analysis of crime perception, public trust in institutions, and geographic disparities in crime, which are ideal for informing policy decisions.

Are there city-level or district-level data points?

Yes. In addition to national-level responses, variables identifying respondents' districts, municipalities, and regional corporations support subnational analysis.

What file formats are available?

Data is provided in CSV format, along with SPSS-compatible dictionaries, making it easy to integrate into statistical software such as R, Stata, or Python environments.

Who funded and coordinated the crime module?

The crime and victimization module was sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in collaboration with LAPOP at Vanderbilt University.

Can this data be used alongside other Latin American crime datasets?

Yes. Its standardization allows cross-country comparisons within the LAPOP AmericasBarometer framework, and with datasets like NCVS for broader research.

Does the LAPOP dataset include types of crime measured by NCVS?

Yes. The LAPOP 2014 Trinidad & Tobago survey includes modules on personal and property crime victimization, such as theft, assault, and threats, which mirror several NCVS crime categories.

Does it collect demographic information about victims?

Yes. Respondent-level demographic data is included (e.g., age, gender, region, education), allowing analysts to disaggregate victimization trends by group—similar to the NCVS demographic scope.

Does the LAPOP data account for unreported crime?

Yes. Like the NCVS, the LAPOP dataset collects self-reported experiences with crime, including whether or not the incident was reported to the police, which is crucial for measuring the dark figure of crime.

Can this dataset be used for policy decision-making like NCVS data?

Yes. This survey was co-funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and was explicitly designed to inform public safety, policing strategies, and justice policies in Trinidad & Tobago.

Does the LAPOP dataset support comparative analysis with NCVS?

Partially. Although not administered by the U.S. Census Bureau or the DOJ, the LAPOP victimization module was structured to align with NCVS definitions and survey logic, allowing for thematic comparison.

How safe do citizens feel in different regions of Trinidad & Tobago?

The dataset includes self-reported perceptions of public safety, enabling regional comparisons across municipalities and districts—critical for resource allocation and community policing strategies.

What types of crimes are citizens most frequently experiencing?

Responses identify common forms of victimization (e.g., theft, physical assault, threats), helping policymakers understand which offenses are most prevalent and where preventive efforts should be focused.

Who is most vulnerable to crime, and where?

With demographic breakdowns (e.g., age, gender, education, urban/rural status), the dataset can be used to identify at-risk populations and high-crime localities for targeted interventions.

Are victims reporting crimes to the police—and if not, why?

This survey reveals the rate of crime reporting, reasons for non-reporting, and public trust in law enforcement—key indicators for evaluating police legitimacy and the need for institutional reform.

How does public perception of the police and justice system vary?

The dataset measures confidence in police, perceived fairness of the justice system, and satisfaction with crime responses, informing reforms in procedural justice and accountability mechanisms.

Is there a link between crime victimization and political trust or civic behavior?

By connecting victimization data with political attitudes (e.g., trust in government, voting behavior), researchers can assess whether high crime correlates with democratic backsliding or civic disengagement.

What is the spatial distribution of victimization?

The inclusion of district-level and urban/rural variables enables spatial crime mapping, supporting strategic deployment of law enforcement and urban planning for safer public spaces.

Are socioeconomic factors linked to higher crime exposure?

The survey captures respondents’ economic perceptions, employment status, and educational level, allowing analysts to study structural conditions that may contribute to victimization or crime risk.

What are the policy implications for vulnerable groups like youth or women?

Filtered analysis by gender and age group can expose gendered patterns of violence or threats facing young adults, informing gender-responsive crime prevention and youth-focused outreach.