Street Violence

Question 1

Street Violence
Assault
Most Prevalent

Answer 1

Physical assault continued to be the most prevalent form of police-reported violent crime in Canada 2019, accounting for just over half (55%) of violent offences.

Question 2

Street Violence
Assault
Facts

Answer 2

• Most are not reported
• High clearance rate (majority involve acquaintances)
• Most offender tend to be adults and male

Question 3

How Common Are Assault Victimizations?

Answer 3

National rate of major assault (level 2 and 3) increased in 2019 for the fifth consecutive year due to higher rates of assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm (level 2)

Question 4

Violent Interactions
Alcohol
The Continuum of Violence

Answer 4

• Perceived as problem of populations
• Contemporary research
• Linked to intimate Partner Violence

Question 5

Violent Interactions
Alcohol
The Continuum of Violence

Answer 5

• Affects individuals differently
• Can affect central nervous system
• Can tranquilize an individual
• Liquid courage and testosterone by the glass

Question 6

Violent Interactions
Alcohol
The Continuum of Violence

Answer 6

• Physiological effects
• Cultural expectations play important role
• Disinhibiting effects of alcohol

Question 7

Violent Interactions
Illicit Drugs
The Continuum of Violence

Answer 7

• illicit drugs may be related to violence

- social context in which drugs are consumed

Question 8

Violent Interactions
Illicit Drugs
The Continuum of Violence

Answer 8

• addiction
• symptoms of withdrawal
• violence created by illegal drug market
• linked to homicide and trafficking

Question 9

Homicide
Nature and Extent
Victims

Answer 9

• Mostly male
• Over 18
• Knew their killer
• Females are more likely to be killed by a husband or lover

Question 10

Homicide
Nature and Extent
Victim-Offender Realtionship

Answer 10

• Majority (85%) of victims of solved homicides in 2019 knew their killer

Question 11

Homicide
Murderous Relations
Spousal Homicide

Answer 11

• Reflects history of violence
• Mostly female victims, male offenders
• Usually because of jealousy, power and control
• Females who kill mates do so after repeatedly suffering violence

Question 12

Homicide
Murderous Relations
Stranger Homicide

Answer 12

• Usually related to other crimes (robbery, sexual assault)
• Few are random, motiveless, or the result of “rage”
• Pattern of provocation followed by retaliation
• The person who initiates conflict with a stranger in public is usually the one to get hurt

Question 13

Gang Related Homicides in Canada, 2019

Answer 13

• Account for one quarter (24%) of all homicides and marked the second highest rate (0.43 per 100,000 population) recorded in Canada since 2005
• Majority (86%) committed with firearm, most often handgun (78%)

Question 14

Homicide Rates Indigenous Peoples

Answer 14

• Number of female indigenous victims decreased from 45-40 while number of male victims rose by 20 (96-116)

Question 15

Homicide Rates Indigenous Peoples

Answer 15

• Of 515 accused persons for who police reported, 38% were reported as Indigenous an increase of 26% from 2018
• Rate of Indigenous persons accused of homicide in 2019 was nearly 11 times higher compared to non Indigenous persons

Question 16

1/3rd of Homicide Victims Identified as Visible Minorities

Answer 16

• of 656 victims police reported as visible minority, 31% or 206 victims
• Over half of victims of homicide identified as visible minorities were reported in Ontario, largely in Toronto