Victims of crime - NSW Commission for Children and Young People

What does this mean?

In Kids Stats a victim of crime refers to a child or young person who has been on the receiving end of a criminal act.

Why is it important to monitor?

Children and young people may be victims of crime directly, such as being assaulted, or indirectly, such as having their possessions stolen during a burglary.

Being a victim of crime can negatively affect a child or young person’s health, well-being, sense of security, safety and hope for the future. It can have lasting consequences, resulting in physical injury, disability or death.

Indicator

The indicator used in Kids Stats to monitor victims of crime is:

The number of reported kidnapping/abduction and robbery offences against the person for children and young people aged 0-17 years, as a rate per 1,000 children and young people aged 0-17 years.

Only incidents recognised as a crime, and subsequently reported to the police are included. Crimes against property, such as burglaries are not included, as these crimes are not directed against an individual.

Main findings

From 1996 to 2008 the rate of children and young people reported as victims of robbery offences was significantly greater than kidnapping or abduction .
The rate of kidnapping/abduction has increased from 1996 to 2008, trebling from 0.05 per 1,000 to 0.17.
Gender is a factor. Over the last five years the rate of victimisation associated with robbery has consistently been higher for males while the rate of kidnapping/abductions has consistently been higher for females.
Age is a factor. Over the last five years the rate of robbery offences against children and young people aged 15-17 years has been consistently higher than other age groups.
In 2008 young people aged 10-14 years had the highest rate of being victims of kidnapping or abduction.