TASMANIA

HOMICIDE AND RELATED OFFENCES

The number of victims of Homicide and related offences in Tasmania decreased from 13 victims in 2016 to 5 victims in 2017. This was the lowest published number of victims of Homicide for Tasmania since the beginning of the time series in 2010. (Table 6)


ASSAULT

In 2017, the number of Assault victims recorded in Tasmania increased by 8% (247 victims), from 2,944 victims in 2016 to 3,191 victims. Female victims accounted for 52% of Assault victims (1,646 victims). Over a quarter (27%) of all Assault victims were aged between 25 and 34 years (863 victims), followed by 20% of victims who were aged between 35 and 44 years (648 victims). (Tables 6 and 7)

The proportion of all victims assaulted by a stranger was nearly three times higher for males (75%) compared to females (26%). (Table 12)

Assault victimisation most commonly occurred at a residential location (55% or 1,758 victims). Nearly one in five (18%) Assaults occurred on a street or footpath (576 victims). (Table 8)

Use of a weapon was reported by 18% of Assault victims in 2017 (575 victims). Around a third of these involved the use of either a knife or a bat, bar or club (113 and 60 victims respectively). (Table 9)


SEXUAL ASSAULT

Between 2016 and 2017, there was a 10% decrease in the number of victims of sexual assault, from 213 to 191 victims.

Females accounted for 76% of all Sexual assault victims recorded in Tasmania (146 victims), which was the lowest proportion of female victims of Sexual assault across all states and territories. (Table 6)


Just over a quarter (27%) of all Sexual assault victims were aged between 15 and 19 years (52 victims). (Table 7)

The majority (82%) of Sexual assault victims knew the offender (157 victims), with 65% of these experiencing victimisation by a non-family member (102 victims). Non-family member includes a variety of relationships such as ex-partners, foster parents, teachers, acquaintances, colleagues, friends, etc. (Tables 12 and 13)

Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Sexual assault victims reported that the incident occurred at a residential location (124 victims). (Table 8)


ROBBERY

The number of victims of Robbery recorded in Tasmania increased marginally, from 87 victims in 2016 to 88 victims in 2017. The majority (71%) of these involved the use of a weapon (62 victims), including a knife (26 victims).

Between 2016 and 2017, Armed robbery increased by 29%, while Unarmed robbery decreased by 29%. (Table 9)


PROPERTY CRIME

Between 2016 and 2017, the number of victims of all property crimes in scope of the collection increased in Tasmania. The largest increase occurred among victims of Other theft which increased 14% (or 990 victims) to 8,058 victims. This was the largest number of victims of these offences recorded in Tasmania since the beginning of the time series in 2010. Retail locations accounted for 47% of victims of Other theft (3,764 victims).

In 2017, the number of victims of Motor vehicle theft and Unlawful entry with intent increased by 9% and 10% to 1,290 victims and 3,311 victims respectively. (Tables 6 and 8)