SOURCES OF VICTIMISATION DATA
Recorded Crime
Recorded crime statistics are the result of incidents coming to police attention and a subsequent decision making process carried out by police in accordance with the criminal law. As such they are subject to different legislation, rules of operation and procedures in different jurisdictions. A 'differences in recorded crime' project completed by the ABS in 2005 found that differences between jurisdictions in police recording systems, business rules, procedures and legislation can partly explain differences in recorded crime across states and territories for certain offence types, in addition to changes in the incidence of criminal victimisation. This is particularly so for assault and sexual assault. As a result, this publication does not present national statistics for these two offences although data for states and territories are presented. For further information about differences across jurisdictions refer to paragraphs 33-109 of the Explanatory Notes.
ABS National Crime Victimisation Surveys
National level information for assault and sexual assault, as well as data for a range of other offences, are available from the 2005 ABS National Crime and Safety Survey (NCSS) and the 2005 ABS Personal Safety Survey (PSS). The NCSS measured people's perceptions of crime in the community and whether or not the crimes were reported to police. Further detailed information about the survey results can be found in Crime and Safety, Australia, 2005 (cat. no. 4509.0). The PSS measured people's experience of violence, harassment or stalking. Further detailed information about the survey results can be found in Personal Safety Survey, Australia, 2005 (cat. no. 4906.0). The results from the next NCSS (2008-09 reference period) are expected to be released early 2010.
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