The Story of ENVIPE

This article purports to narrate the particular circumstances in which the Mexican National Survey on Victimization and Perception of Public Security (ENVIPE) came into being as a response to correct the lack of information about a social problem (crime) that was (and is) seriously affecting the country. It describes the events and the actions of the agencies and individuals involved that led to the design and eventually carrying out of an annual survey that has become a centerpiece of information on crime for Mexico and that, in turn, has contributed to the development of similar surveys in other Latin American countries. It presents its main features and some of the challenges it may face in the future.