Young Male Crime Survey 2006

The survey covered self-reported crime of young Finnish males, focusing particularly on theft and other property crime, and crimes of violence. Dealings with the police and punishments received were also studied. One of the goals of the survey was to test the possibility of creating new standardised indicators for self-reported crime in Finland. The survey repeated several questions used in the Young Male Crime Survey in 1962. Drinking habits were studied by asking how often the respondents drink until they become intoxicated. Knowledge of the Finnish law was tested by asking whether the respondents knew what age criminal liability began at, what the blood alcohol content limit for driving while intoxicated (DWI) was, and what the legal age of consent was (minimum age at which a person is considered to be capable of consenting to sexual acts). Regarding victimization of crime, the respondents were asked whether they had been victims of non-violent theft, or of theft involving violence or threat of violence, and if so whether they had told the police. Further questions explored whether the respondents had been victims of the following, when and how often: threats of violence, insults or threats through e-mail, sms messages or Internet discussion forums, being deliberately jostled or pushed (by way of harassment), physical attack, assault, violence without weapons or violence with weapons like knives, guns etc. The respondents were asked whether they had had to visit a doctor, receive first aid or be hospitalized because of the violence, ever or during the past 12 months. Self-reported crime was studied by asking the respondents whether they themselves had ever or during the past 12 months participated in the following: taking something from someone without permission, theft from workplace, shoplifting, stealing ashtrays or such from cafes or restaurants, theft of vehicle parts, theft of a motor vehicle (car, motor cycle, scooter, motorboat), theft of a bicycle, other type of theft, receiving, buying or selling stolen goods, leaving a restaurant or hotel without paying, driving while intoxicated, deliberately damaging streetlights, road signs or such, disorderly conduct in a public place while intoxicated, deliberately threatening or insulting someone through e-mail, text messages or Internet discussion forums, illegally copying music or movies over the Internet or distributing such to strangers via the Internet, assaulting someone with intent to harm, or carrying a knife or other offensive weapon with intent to harm or for self-defence. Regarding drug abuse, the respondents were asked whether they had ever or during the past 12 months tried or used marijuana or hashish, or ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, LSD or other drugs. One question investigated working without paying taxes. The respondents were asked whether they had had dealings with the police and why. Penalties/punishments received (petty fines, fines, community service, juvenile punishment, conditional or unconditional prison sentence) were charted. Views were probed on the severity of Finnish punishments. Finally, the respondents were asked about their call-up date for the conscription army. Background variables included the respondent's year of birth, mother tongue, country of birth, activity after basic education, economic activity in the past 12 months, duration of possible unemployment, occupation, municipality of residence, household composition, number of children, father's occupation, and whether R was studying at the time of the survey.