Analysis

This report, using data from the General Social Survey on victimization, examines the various crime prevention measures employed by Canadians and the factors associated with their use.

The report finds that many Canadians employ crime prevention techniques such as locking car doors, planning their route with safety in mind and checking the back seat for intruders, on a regular basis. Furthermore, many Canadians used protective strategies such as altering their routine, avoiding certain places, installing burglar alarms and changing their locks to guard against crime, at sometime in their lives. More extreme measures, such as changing their residence or buying a gun were much less likely.

This report also demonstrates that a number of personal, household, and perceived neighbourhood characteristics are associated with the use of crime prevention measures. Specifically, usage of crime prevention techniques was more common among women, those previously victimized, well-educated individuals and urban-dwellers. Also, those who felt crime rates in their neighbourhood had increased and were higher than rates elsewhere in Canada were most likely to employ crime prevention measures.

In 2004, as part of its General Social Survey program, Statistics Canada conducted a survey on victimization and public perceptions of crime and the justice system. It was the fourth time that the General Social Survey (GSS) had examined victimization - previous surveys were conducted in 1999, 1993 and 1988.

For the 2004 survey, interviews were conducted by telephone with approximately 24,000 people, aged 15 and older, living in the 10 provinces. Respondents were asked about their experiences with criminal victimization. Those respondents who had been victims of a crime in the previous 12 months were asked for detailed information on each incident, including when and where it occurred; whether the incident was reported to the police; and how they were affected by the experience.

This Juristat explores the overall trends and regional variations of criminal victimization, as well as the individual risk factors associated with victimization. The impacts and consequences of being victimized are discussed, along with the informal and formal sources of support for victims.

This report, using data from the General Social Survey on victimization, examines the various crime prevention measures employed by Canadians and the factors associated with their use.

The report finds that many Canadians employ crime prevention techniques such as locking car doors, planning their route with safety in mind and checking the back seat for intruders, on a regular basis. Furthermore, many Canadians used protective strategies such as altering their routine, avoiding certain places, installing burglar alarms and changing their locks to guard against crime, at sometime in their lives. More extreme measures, such as changing their residence or buying a gun were much less likely.

This report also demonstrates that a number of personal, household, and perceived neighbourhood characteristics are associated with the use of crime prevention measures. Specifically, usage of crime prevention techniques was more common among women, those previously victimized, well-educated individuals and urban-dwellers. Also, those who felt crime rates in their neighbourhood had increased and were higher than rates elsewhere in Canada were most likely to employ crime prevention measures.

In 2004, as part of its General Social Survey program, Statistics Canada conducted a survey on victimization and public perceptions of crime and the justice system. It was the fourth time that the General Social Survey (GSS) had examined victimization - previous surveys were conducted in 1999, 1993 and 1988.

For the 2004 survey, interviews were conducted by telephone with approximately 24,000 people, aged 15 and older, living in the 10 provinces. Respondents were asked about their experiences with criminal victimization. Those respondents who had been victims of a crime in the previous 12 months were asked for detailed information on each incident, including when and where it occurred; whether the incident was reported to the police; and how they were affected by the experience.

This Juristat explores the overall trends and regional variations of criminal victimization, as well as the individual risk factors associated with victimization. The impacts and consequences of being victimized are discussed, along with the informal and formal sources of support for victims.