NCJ Number
77998
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Sociology Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1980) Pages: 79-84
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This report describes the findings of a 1975 national crime victims survey in Australia by 10 different types of crime which permitted comparisons between State capitals and small cities; Perth was identified as the least safe Australian city.
Abstract
This survey was conducted by experienced interviewers who asked participants if they had experienced any of the following crimes during the past 12 months: breaking and entering a home, motor vehicle theft, robbery with violence, theft, fraud, forgery, false pretenses, sex offenses, nuisance calls, and assault. The survey sample consisted of 8,414 households which contained 18,694 persons 15 years and older. Except for fraud, forgery, and false pretenses, the State capitals had higher reported victimizations rates than other cities and towns, a finding which is consistent with victim surveys in Europe. With the exception of sexual offenses, Sydney had a higher crime rate than Melbourne. The city of Perth in Western Australia had the highest rates for breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, forgery, false pretenses, and assault. Although victimization reports for vehicle theft, rape, and nuisance calls were highest in Sydney, overall Perth is clearly the least safe city. Adelaide is distinguished by a markedly high theft rate, while Hobart appears to be the safest capital. While Western Australia has a below average crime rate as a whole, it also had more people in prison per head than any other State. Tables, standard error calculations, footnotes, and 18 references are included. (Author abstract modified)