NCJ Number
164100
Journal
Juristat Volume: 16 Issue: 10 Dated: (July 1996) Pages: 1-21
Date Published
1996
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The police-reported crime rate in Canada decreased for the fourth consecutive year in 1995; although the crime rate dropped by 13.1 percent between 1991 and 1995, it was still 6.8 percent higher than in 1985.
Abstract
The violent crime rate decreased by 4.1 percent, the largest annual decline since 1962 and the third consecutive annual decline. This decrease followed 15 consecutive years of increases in violent crime. Most violent crime categories showed a rate decrease in 1995: homicides, assaults, sexual assaults, other sexual offenses, and abductions. The decline in the 1995 homicide rate (3 percent) followed a 25-year low reached the previous year. There was a notable increase in the rate of sexual assaults (12.1 percent). In contrast, the robbery rate increased by 3.1 percent. After three straight years of decline, the property crime rate stabilized in 1995. The motor vehicle theft rate, which increased by 62.7 percent between 1988 and 1993, leveled off during 1994 and 1995. Although the rate for all break and enters decreased slightly in 1995, residential break and enters increased by 2.7 percent. There was a general decline in firearm- related offenses in 1995. The number of homicides committed with a firearm decreased by 10.2 percent. Although total robberies increased in 1995, robberies with firearms decreased by 9 percent. The youth charge rate remained stable in 1995, following three consecutive annual decreases. The rate at which young people were charged with violent crime increased by 2.4 percent and was more than twice the rate in 1986. Of all youths charged, 19 percent were charged with violent crimes compared to 29 percent of all adults charged. Comparative data are provided by province and census metropolitan area. 9 tables and 16 figures