Crime victimisation in Australia

"Crime victimisation surveys have emerged over the past few decades as an important research tool to help provide a picture of crime that is independent of police statistics. In 2004 the Australian Institute of Criminology managed the Australian component of the International Crime Victim Survey (ICVS) which interviewed 7,000 people about their experience and perceptions of crime and the criminal justice system. This report presents key results of the Australian component of the 2004 ICVS, noting that both recent rates of crime victimisation and fear levels have declined since the last survey in 2000. In addition, results provide an up-to-date picture of the risk factors associated with personal and household crime, the level of repeat victimisation, public perceptions of crime and safety, rates at which victims report crimes to the police, and citizen engagement in crime prevention activities. A number of implications emerge from these results for policy-makers and practitioners.