VICTORIA

HOMICIDE

The number of Homicide victims in Victoria decreased slightly, from 103 in 2014 to 98 in 2015. Males comprised 63% of all Homicide victims, with the proportion being largest for males aged between 35 and 54 years (29% or 28 victims). More than half of Homicide offences occurred at a residential location (57% or 56 victims), and a further 24% (24 victims) were at a community location. (Tables 25, 26 & 27).

A weapon was used in more than half of all Murders (62% or 32 victims), with a knife being the most common weapon (used in 31% of murders or 16 victims). Over half of Homicide victims knew the offender (56% or 55 victims). Female victims were more likely to know their offender than male victims (74% compared to 48%). (Tables 27 & 29)


SEXUAL ASSAULT

Victims of Sexual assault increased by less than 1% in Victoria, from 4,169 in 2014 to 4,200 in 2015, with the victimisation rate decreasing slightly from 71.4 victims per 100,000 persons to 70.7 victims per 100,000 persons. The majority of Sexual assault victims were female (85% or 3,550 victims), and 40% were females aged 19 years and under (40% or 1,688 victims). The most prevalent location for Sexual assault victimisation was a residential dwelling (64% or 2,696 victims). (Tables 6-8)

More than seven in ten Sexual assault victims knew their offender (71% or 2,971 victims), with the offender being a family member for 28% (1,165 victims). The proportion of victims who reported being sexually assaulted by a family member was highest for persons aged 0-9 years (59% or 195 victims) and lowest for those aged 45 years and over (18% or 59 victims). (Tables 11 & 12)


ROBBERY

The number of Robbery victims in Victoria increased by 7% between 2014 and 2015 (up from 2,286 victims to 2,444) – the first rise in four years and the largest increase of all states and territories in 2015. This was driven by a 14% increase in Armed robbery, from 1,142 victims in 2014 to 1,304 victims in 2015. The number of Unarmed robbery victims was stable. (Table 6)

The most common location for Armed robbery to occur was at a retail location (37% or 485 victims), while for Unarmed robbery it was on a street or footpath (53% or 602 victims). More than half of Robbery victims reported a weapon being used (53% or 1,304 victims), with a knife the most common weapon (17% or 416 victims). (Tables 8-10)

Of all Robbery victims, 87% were persons (2,122 victims), and of these 78% were male (1,649 victims). More than half of all Robbery person victims were males aged between 15 and 34 years (52% or 1,102 victims). (Table 7)


PROPERTY CRIME

The number of victims increased for all property crime offence types in Victoria between 2014 and 2015. The largest proportional increase was for victims of Motor vehicle theft, which rose 15% from 13,227 victims to 15,275. Victims of Unlawful entry with intent increased by 9% (from 44,457 victims to 48,394) and Other theft victims increased by 8% (111,274 to 120,472). (Table 6)

The location at which victimisation occurred varied by offence type. Two-thirds of Unlawful entry with intent victims reported being victimised in a residential location (67% or 32,376 victims), compared to one-third of Motor vehicle theft victims (33% or 4,969 victims). The most common location for Motor vehicle theft was on the street or footpath (42% or 6,471 victims), while for Other theft it was at retail locations (28% or 33,769 victims). (Table 8)

For these three offence types, the majority of investigations were not finalised within 30 days (92% for Unlawful entry with intent, 87% for Motor vehicle theft and 89% for Other theft). (Table 10)