Overall Crime Victimization of Juveniles

Children have very high rates of crime victimization.

• In 2000, youth 12 through 17 had crime victimization rates over two times higher than adults, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The overall rate of violent crime for youth ages 12 through 17 is 57 per 1,000, compared to 23 per 1,000 for adults and 38 per 1,000 for all persons.

• Victims 12 through 17 constitute 23% of all violent crime victims, according to the NCVS.     

The approximate total number of violent crime victims from birth through 17 is 1,935,000:

• 1,380,000 twelve through 17 year olds
• 555,000* birth through 11 year olds

*Estimated from NCVS data using 1999 National Incident-based Reporting System (NIBRS) data indicating 1 pre-teen victim for every 2.5 teen victims.

In 1999, the number of juvenile crime victims known to police estimated from NIBRS is 1,300,000:

• 930,000 twelve through 17 year olds
• 370,000* birth through 11 year old

*CCRC data analysis using NIBRS, 1999.

Crimes against youth are less likely to be reported to the police.

• In 2000, 36% of violent crimes against youth were reported to police versus 54% of crimes to adults.
• Only 12% of thefts from youth were reported, versus 32% of thefts from adults.

CCRC data analysis using NCVS 2000; see also - Finkelhor, D. and Ormrod, R. (1999).  Reporting crimes against juveniles. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Youth are more likely than adults to face a weapon-toting assailant.

• In 2000, the rate for victimization with a weapon was 10.9 per 1,000 for youth, compared to 6.2 per 1,000 for adults.

Juveniles are more likely than adults to experience a victimization related injury.

• In 2000, the rate for victimization injury was 16.8 per 1,000 for youth, compared to 6.5 per 1,000 for adults.

  CCRC data analysis using NCVS 2000.

Crimes against children have been declining in recent years, along with crimes against all individuals.

• Youth crime victimization has declined since 1993.

Rate of Personal Victimization per 1,000 (excluding murder)

• These trends parallel declines in crime rates for persons of all ages. Personal crime victimization for all ages declined 44% from 1993 to 2000.

U.S. Department of Justice. (1997). Changes in Criminal Victimization 1994-1995.

U.S. Department of Justice. (1997). Criminal Victimization 1996: Changes 1995-1996 with Trends 1993-1996.

U.S. Department of Justice. (2000). Criminal Victimization 1999: Changes 1998-1999 with Trends 1993-1999.

U.S. Department of Justice. (2001). Criminal Victimization 2000: Changes 1999-2000 with Trends 1993-2000.

U.S. Department of Jusitce. (2002). Age Patterns in Violent Victimization, 1976-2000.