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NATIONAL CRIME AND SAFETY SURVEY

Major findings from the national crime and safety survey were released on 25 August 1999 with the publication of Crime and Safety, Australia, 1998 (ABS Cat. No. 4509.0). The household survey was conducted in April 1998 principally to obtain information on the level of victimisation in the community for selected offences. Information was collected from approximately 42,000 individuals and 21,000 households about their experience of selected crimes, whether these crimes were reported to police and crime related risk factors. Household crimes covered break-in, attempted break-in and motor vehicle theft and personal crimes included robbery and assault. Female victims aged 18 years or above were also asked to complete questions on sexual assault.

A set of supplementary national and standard tables (ABS Cat. No. 4509.0.40.001) has also been released which gives more detail for each of the States and Territories. Additional data from the national Crime and Safety Survey will be made available through special tabulations and the statistical consultancy service. Special tabulations can be produced on request to meet individual requirements. Unit record data can be accessed to undertake analysis such as model building or hypothesis testing.
Special consultancy services can attract a service charge and a quote will be provided if required. The publication is available for $25.00 and the Crime and Safety supplementary national and standard table set is available for $91.00. For further information, please send an email to crime.justice @abs.gov.au.
The national Crime and Safety Survey reveals some interesting details about the way crime affects Australians. Key findings show:

• There were 50 in 1,000 households that had their homes broken into in the 12 months prior to the April 1998 survey. Twenty per cent of these households had two or more break-ins in that time.
• There were 43 people in 1,000 aged 15 years and over assaulted and 45 per cent of these victims experienced two or more assaults.
• About four in 1000 women aged 18 years and over (30,100 females) were sexually assaulted in the 12 months prior to the survey. Twenty-seven per cent of these women experienced two or more sexual assaults.
• About 5 in 1,000 people aged 15 years and over (79,100 people) were victims of robbery in the 12 month period. Twenty-three per cent of these people experienced two or more robberies.
• Motor vehicle theft had the highest reporting rate with police being told of about ninety-five per cent of the most recent incidents. Assault with twenty-eight per cent and sexual assault with thirty-three per cent had much lower reporting rates.