Module 2

Question 1

What’s the definition of “The Crime Rate”?

Answer 1

The data collected from Police/UCR data, the number of offences that occur per population

Question 2

What does the “dark figure of crime” mean?

Answer 2

Unreported crime (for whatever reason)- Crime Rate is reported

Question 3

How are crimes included in the crime rate?

Answer 3

1) Someone has to recognize a crime’s been committed, 2) it must be reported to the police, 3) the police must determine the case to be “founded”, and 4) the police must record it

Question 4

What are other types of criminal justice statistics?

Answer 4

The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS), Statistics Canada’s “Court Statistics: Interactive Dashboard”, and Correctionals statistics

Question 5

What are some factors that account for changes in crime rates?

Answer 5

1) Changes in victim reporting practices, 2) Changes in law or definitions of crime- including additions/deletions to the Criminal Code, 3) Changes in enforcement policies/practices, 4) Changes in data collection techniques

Question 6

What do victimization surveys measure?

Answer 6

The dark figure of crime, and characteristics/circumstances of victimization

Question 7

What do self-report surveys measure?

Answer 7

The dark figure of crime, and additional information about criminals + their motives

Question 8

What are the Top 5 crime trends in Canada?

Answer 8

1) Sexual Assault; 2) Robbery; 3) Physical Assault; 4) Total Violent Victimization; 5) Break & Enter

Question 9

What are some problems with official crime statistics?

Answer 9

Relies on reporting, which relies on the victim to report a crime has happened, which relies on their ability to recognize an offence