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Río Cuarto Strengthens Its Municipal Victimization Survey in Line with International Standards

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The UNODC-INEGI Center of Excellence participated in the presentation of the 202c Municipal Victimization and Insecurity Survey (EMVI), held as part of the Working Group on Prevention and Security in Río Cuarto, Argentina.

August 20, 2026 | Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. The Municipality of Río Cuarto presented the main findings of the 2026 Municipal Victimization and Insecurity Survey (EMVI), a tool designed to gather information on the population’s experiences with victimization and their perceptions of safety.

The presentation was part of the Working Group on Prevention and Safety, a forum that brings together municipal authorities, security and justice institutions, academia, the private sector, and civil society organizations.

Representing the UNODC-INEGI Center of Excellence, Justo Rojas López, a specialist in security and justice statistics, participated virtually in the presentation of the EMVI 2026. During his remarks, he presented the methodological guidance developed by the Center and highlighted the importance of moving toward victimization statistics that are reliable, comparable, and aligned with international standards.

The methodological guidance was developed at the request of the Municipality of Río Cuarto and was intended to contribute to the progressive strengthening of the EMVI 2026. The work, carried out in coordination with the UNODC Office in Argentina, focused on reviewing the alignment of the questionnaire and methodological documentation with the VICLAC Initiative, the UNODC-UNECE Manual for Victimization Surveys, and the regional experience accumulated by the Center of Excellence.

The methodological guidance included:

  • an analysis of the questionnaire’s thematic structure;

  • a review of the documented methodological, sampling, and operational design;

  • a comparison with the VICLAC Initiative and the UNODC-UNECE Manual;

  • identification of best practices and methodological differences;

  • recommendations to strengthen future surveys; and

  • guidance for improving comparability, traceability, and statistical quality.

The review of the EMVI 2026 revealed a progressive process of methodological strengthening and greater alignment of documentation with international best practices for victimization surveys.

Likewise, the questionnaire includes elements aligned with the VICLAC Initiative, adapted to the characteristics and needs of a concise municipal survey instrument.

During the roundtable, it was emphasized that the EMVI is part of a broader information strategy for security management in Río Cuarto.

Its results can be complemented by administrative records, official statistics, and other municipal sources to better understand security issues, identify patterns, and guide public interventions

The experience in Río Cuarto demonstrates the value of technical cooperation and knowledge sharing in strengthening statistical capacities at the local level.

During the meeting, municipal authorities acknowledged the support provided by the Center of Excellence and highlighted its contribution to the methodological refinement of the EMVI and its alignment with international standards.