Online Crime Reporting: Procedural Justice and Victims’ Psychological Outcomes

Abstract

Online crime reporting is a newly emerging reporting method that is gaining popularity among law enforcement agencies globally for its efficiency, yet, little is known about the potential impacts of these systems on victims. This study aims to determine whether or not online systems are delivering a procedurally just experience to property crime victims, and to what extent this may impact their psychological well-being. The study uses survey responses from victims (N=788) using the Portland Police Bureau’s online reporting system. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify significant relationships between a variety of procedural justice factors and control variables. Significant findings from the analyses support the idea that low levels of perceived procedural justice delivered via the online system are significantly correlated with elevated levels of psychological distress for victims. The results of this study emphasize the need for further research on procedural justice in technology-mediated communications between law enforcement and crime victims and a greater knowledge of how online reporting impacts victims’ psychological outcomes