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Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics Profile Series
Household Income and Victimization in Canada, 2004
Canadians living in low-income households experience higher rates of violent victimization1
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Canadians living in low-income households were more likely to be the victims of violent crime than were those from households with higher incomes. Similar to previous GSS findings, in 2004, the rate of violent victimization (which includes physical assault, sexual assault and robbery) for individuals from households with incomes below $15,000 was at least 1.5 times greater than the rate for any of the higher income groupings (Chart 1). Similar findings were observed when each of the particular types of violent crime was examined individually (Table 2).
Chart 1
Canadians from low income households experience higher rates of violent victimization
Table 2
Criminal victimization rates by household income group, Canada, 2004
Even when the effects of a number of other factors were taken into account (i.e., age, sex, marital status, employment status, perceptions of neighbourhood crime levels and personal safety), living in a low-income household continued to be a significant predictor of violent victimization (see Text box 2 "Determining the independent effect of household income on the risk of violent victimization" for more details).
In addition to household income, a number of other factors were also found to be significant in predicting violent victimization. More specifically, for those aged 15 to 24 compared to individuals over 55, as well as individuals who were unmarried, Aboriginal or recent immigrants, the odds of violent victimization were greater, relative to their respective counterparts. Other factors, such as participating in several (i.e., 10 or more) evening activities, perceptions of high neighbourhood crime, dissatisfaction with personal safety and fear of criminal victimization, also increased the odds of violent victimization. In contrast, being female and attending school (as a main activity) reduced the odds of being a victim of violent crime.
Text box 2
Determining the independent effect of household income on the risk of violent victimization
To determine the independent effect of selected variables, particularly household income, on the risk of violent victimization, a multivariate analysis using logistic regression was conducted. Logistic regression allows for multiple factors to be taken into account (i.e., held constant) simultaneously, thereby allowing the impact of each on the likelihood of violent victimization to be assessed. In addition to household income, the regression model employed controlled for the effects of age, sex, marital status, Aboriginal status, immigrant status, employment status/main activity, and the number of evening activities in which individuals participated. As well, perceptions of neighbourhood crime levels, personal safety and fear of crime were also included in the model.
The odds ratio
An odds ratio, a statistic generated by a logistic regression, can be used to assess whether, other things being equal, low-income households are more or less likely to be the victimized compared to higher income households, referred to as the reference category. An odds ratio near 1.0 indicates that the sub-group's odds of victimization are no more or less than those of the reference group; an odds ratio greater than 1.0 indicates that the sub-group's odds of victimization are greater than those of the reference group; and an odds ratio less than 1.0 indicates that the sub-group's odds of victimization are lower than those of the reference group.
Text box 3
Types of offences
The 2004 General Social Survey (GSS) measured the extent of criminal victimization by looking at three types of violent crime, theft of personal property and four types of household property crime, according to their definitions in the Criminal Code.
When an incident included more than one type of crime, it was classified according to the most serious offence. The rank of offences from most to least serious is sexual assault, robbery, physical assault, break and enter, motor vehicle/parts theft, theft of personal property, theft of household property and vandalism.
Violent offences
- Sexual assault: Forced sexual activity, an attempt at forced sexual activity, or unwanted sexual touching, grabbing, kissing or fondling.
- Robbery: Theft or attempted theft in which the perpetrator had a weapon or there was violence or the threat of violence against the victim.
- Assault: An attack (victim hit, slapped, grabbed, knocked down or beaten), a face-to-face threat of physical harm, or an incident with a weapon present.
Theft of personal property: Theft or attempted theft of personal property such as money, credit cards, clothing, jewellery, a purse or a wallet (unlike robbery, the perpetrator does not confront the victim).
Household offences
- Break and enter: Illegal entry or attempted entry into a residence or other building on the victim's property.
- Motor vehicle/parts theft: Theft or attempted theft of a car, truck, van, motorcycle, moped or other vehicle or part of a motor vehicle.
- Theft of household property: Theft or attempted theft of household property such as liquor, bicycles, electronic equipment, tools or appliances.
- Vandalism: Wilful damage of personal or household property, theft or attempted theft of personal property such as money, credit cards, clothing, jewellery, a purse or a wallet (unlike robbery, the perpetrator does not confront the victim).
Note
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