SOCI 3276 MIDTERM 1

total amount of crime in Canada for 2022

2,206,454 (2.2M).increased by 14% in the last 10 years.

total amount of property crime

1,290,215.decreased by -4% in the last 10 years

total violent crime

531,243

top 3 violent crimes

1. assault level 12. uttering threats3. assault level 2 weapon or bodily harm

top 3 property crimes

1. theft under $5,0002. mischief3. fraud

perctange change is a volatile statistic

Remember the numbers you start withChange in categorization for requirement of that crime so that more people now fit into that category could cause a large increase in percentage Change in the law or new lawPolice priorities change to reported and recorded crime rates Sometimes focused more on prostitution or on drunk driving etc depending on the season Sometimes giving warnings

2009 General Social Survey (GSS)

Survey revealing safety perceptions of Canadians

CUCRS

Canadian Uniform Crime Reports

Crime rates

In 2014, there were about 1.8 million crimes reported to police (a decrease of 3% from 2013)The severity of crime has decreased commensurately (CSI) (crime severity index)In 2014, 21% of crimes were considered "violent" while 79% were deemed "non-violent"We get the idea that there is a lot of crime going on from the mass media when in reality there is less crime than we think

violent crime

In 2014, there were just over 369,000 violent criminal code violationsThe reduction of 15,000 from the previous year can be explained by a reduction in level 3 sexual assaults(Aggravated sexual assault level 3: this results in wounding, maiming, disfiguring, or endangering the life of the victim) (-22%) threatening/harassing phone calls and level 2 sexual assaults (both -14%), robbery (-11%) and harassment (-10%)There were increases in extortion (+16%) sexual violations against children (+6%) and abductions (+4%)

things that attribute to the declining crime rate in Canada

- reduction in level 3 sexual assaults- reduction in threatening/harassing phone calls-reduction in level 2 sexual assaults-reduction in robbery- reduction in harassment- reduction in other criminal code offences (mostly prostitution)- decrease in counterfeiting

what contributed to the largest increase in criminal code violations

terrorist offences and child pornography

the most common property thefts are

1. theft under $5,0002. mischief3. break and enter4. fraud (excluding. identity fraud)

Terrorism

In Canada, section 83.01 of the criminal code defines terrorism as an act committed "in whole or in part for a political, religious or ideological purpose, objective or cause" with the intention of intimidating the public"... with regard to its security, including its economic security, or a compelling perron, a government or a domestic or an international organization to do or to refrain from doing any act. Activities recognized as criminal within this context include death and bodily harm with the use of violence; endangering a persons life; risks posed to the health and safety of the public; significant property damage; and interference or disruption of essential services, facilities or systems

Section 83.01 of the criminal code

Definition of terrorism in Canadian law. very broad definition.poorly written legislation

Crime statistics

crime statistic are frequently based upon reports to police, self reports, and victimization reports. none of these are deemed entirely accurate

CUCRs

Canadian Uniform Crime Reporting system. was launched in 1961 and made operational in 1962. designed to generate reliable crime statistics. it applies standard definitions to all offences.the first UCR involved just aggregate crime

UCR2

was implemented in 1988 and fully operational in 1992.it collected incident-based data rather than summary data.

Incident-based data

Detailed information about individual crimes

CUCR Criticisms

- Much crime (unknown) is simply not reported.-Weighting of crimes.• A decrease in some crimes is nullified by anincrease in others.- Recording problems.• For non-violent crimes, one incident is counted foreach incident.• For violent crimes, a separate incident is recordedfor each victim.

Victimization data

UCRs are deemed problematic.lack of reporting is an issue.

Victimization surveys

help estimate unrecorded crime.explain why victims do not report crimes to the police.provide information about the impact of crime on victims. identify populations at risk of being victimized

victimization survey discrepancies

many crimes are not reported.some social groups are more likely to report being victimized than others. This might have to do with privilege as some people are more astonished when a crime has been committed against them.

Antisocial behaviour

Conduct that disrupts quality of life, not criminal

White collar offenders

People who commit financially motivated, non-violent crimes

Understanding the nature of crime

Important for developing crime reduction strategies

Crime severity

The seriousness and volume of crimes in different areas

Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS)

Renowned source for up-to-date Canadian crime data

Five types of crime

Crimes against the person, property crimes, crimes of the powerful, organized crime and gangs, antisocial behaviour

Crimes against the person

Also referred to as violent crimes contribute to fear and reduce our quality of life, as the possibility of being victimized prevents us from engaging in activities that we would otherwise do

Homicide

indirectly or directly Causing the death of another person, can be non-culpable or culpable

first degree murder

a planned and deliberate act which results in death

second degree murder

a deliberate act which was unplanned which results in death

manslaughter

culpable homicide that is not murder or infanticide. considered to be either an unlawful act that was not intended to cause death, or considered criminal negligence which is and act that shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons

Sexual assault

Assault of a sexual nature, includes different levels of severity. one of the least reported crimes. three different levels of severity

sexual assault level 1

involves minor physical injuries or no injuries to the victim

sexual assault level 2

includes sexual assault with a weapon, threats, or causing bodily harm

aggravated sexual assault level 3

this results in wounding, maiming, disfiguring, or endangering the life of the victim

Robbery

Theft involving violence or the threat of violence.more likely to occur in urban areas. Called a urban crime

Assault

most commonly reported violent crime- divided into three levels with level 3 aggravated assault being the most serious- a crime of violence that can range from a relatively minor act to a serious crime resulting in severe bodily harm

Property crimes

Crimes involving theft or damage to property

what are the three most common types of property crimes

1. break and enter2. theft of a motor vehicle3. theft not involving a motor vehicle

Break and enter

Breaking into a residence or business with intent to steal

Theft of a motor vehicle

Stealing or attempting to steal a land-based motorized vehicle

Theft not involving a motor vehicle

Taking someone's possessions without consent, includes identity theft

Crimes of the powerful

Contrasted against street crimes, includes white-collar crimes

Street crimes

Violent, property, and public order offences contrasted against the crimes of the powerful

Occupational crimes

Offences committed by individuals for personal benefit in their employment

White-collar crimes

Non-violent crimes committed for monetary gain, including corruption

Hot spots

Areas with high volume of crimes

Organized crime and gangs

Offences committed by employees of legitimate businesses for organizational benefit

Price-fixing

Conspiracy to reduce competition or keep prices artificially high

Genocide

Systematic killing of a population

Crimes against humanity

Violent acts and persecution as part of a systematic attack

Critical criminologists

Scholars who argue justice systems maintain class relationships

what three measures does the CCJS use to determine the most precise indicator of crime in Canada

1. rates of reported crime per 100,000 residents2. the crime severity index3. surveys of Canadians to determine how many people have been victimized

Crime Severity Index (CSI)

Measure of volume and seriousness of crime reported to police

Violent Crime Severity Index

measure of the volume and seriousness of all violent offences that includes homicide, all three levels of assault, robbery, sexual assault, uttering threats, forcible confinement/kidnapping, attempted murder, and criminal harassment.

Non-violent Crime Severity Index

Measure of volume and seriousness of non-violent offences

Youth Crime Severity Index

Measure of volume and seriousness of crimes committed by youth between ages of 12-17

Victimization surveys

asking people whether they have been victimized in the previous year and if those crimes were reported to the police

Dark figure of crime

Difference between actual crime and reported crime

Limitations of victimization data

Survey is only conducted every 5 years, excludes children and youth

Self-report surveys

a type of survey where respondents answer questions about their attitudes, beliefs, or experiences, including being an offender or crime victim

Antisocial behaviour

Conduct that disrupts quality of life, not criminal

White collar offenders

People who commit financially motivated, non-violent crimes

Understanding the nature of crime

Important for developing crime reduction strategies

Crime severity

The seriousness and volume of crimes in different areas

Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS)

Renowned source for up-to-date Canadian crime data

Five types of crime

Crimes against the person, property crimes, crimes of the powerful, organized crime and gangs, antisocial behaviour

Crimes against the person

Also referred to as violent crimes contribute to fear and reduce our quality of life, as the possibility of being victimized prevents us from engaging in activities that we would otherwise do

Homicide

indirectly or directly Causing the death of another person, can be non-culpable or culpable

first degree murder

a planned and deliberate act which results in death

second degree murder

a deliberate act which was unplanned which results in death

manslaughter

culpable homicide that is not murder or infanticide. considered to be either an unlawful act that was not intended to cause death, or considered criminal negligence which is and act that shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons

Sexual assault

Assault of a sexual nature, includes different levels of severity. one of the least reported crimes. three different levels of severity

sexual assault level 1

involves minor physical injuries or no injuries to the victim

sexual assault level 2

includes sexual assault with a weapon, threats, or causing bodily harm

aggravated sexual assault level 3

this results in wounding, maiming, disfiguring, or endangering the life of the victim

Robbery

Theft involving violence or the threat of violence.more likely to occur in urban areas. Called a urban crime

Assault

most commonly reported violent crime- divided into three levels with level 3 aggravated assault being the most serious- a crime of violence that can range from a relatively minor act to a serious crime resulting in severe bodily harm

Property crimes

Crimes involving theft or damage to property

what are the three most common types of property crimes

1. break and enter2. theft of a motor vehicle3. theft not involving a motor vehicle

Break and enter

Breaking into a residence or business with intent to steal

Theft of a motor vehicle

Stealing or attempting to steal a land-based motorized vehicle

Theft not involving a motor vehicle

Taking someone's possessions without consent, includes identity theft

Crimes of the powerful

Contrasted against street crimes, includes white-collar crimes

Street crimes

Violent, property, and public order offences contrasted against the crimes of the powerful

Occupational crimes

Offences committed by individuals for personal benefit in their employment

White-collar crimes

Non-violent crimes committed for monetary gain, including corruption

Hot spots

Areas with high volume of crimes

Organized crime and gangs

Offences committed by employees of legitimate businesses for organizational benefit

Price-fixing

Conspiracy to reduce competition or keep prices artificially high

Genocide

Systematic killing of a population

Crimes against humanity

Violent acts and persecution as part of a systematic attack

Critical criminologists

Scholars who argue justice systems maintain class relationships

what three measures does the CCJS use to determine the most precise indicator of crime in Canada

1. rates of reported crime per 100,000 residents2. the crime severity index3. surveys of Canadians to determine how many people have been victimized

Crime Severity Index (CSI)

Measure of volume and seriousness of crime reported to police

Violent Crime Severity Index

measure of the volume and seriousness of all violent offences that includes homicide, all three levels of assault, robbery, sexual assault, uttering threats, forcible confinement/kidnapping, attempted murder, and criminal harassment.

Non-violent Crime Severity Index

Measure of volume and seriousness of non-violent offences