rate away from school was also higher in 2012 than in 2010 (38 vs. 27 victimizations per 1,000 students).
Theft and violence both at school and while going to and from school can affect the overall health and well-being of adolescents, interfere with educational goals, and stall normal healthy development (Fredland 2008). This type of victimization can also lead to higher-than-average rates of teacher turnover, increases in student dropout rates, students changing schools, principals and teachers retiring early, increases in student fear of violence at school, and a decline in learning (Crews, Crews, and Turner 2008). In 2012, data from the National Crime Victimization
Survey5 showed that more victimizations were
committed against students ages 12–18 at school than
away from school.6 Students ages 12–18 experienced
about 1,364,900 nonfatal victimizations (theft7 and
violent crime8) at school,9 compared to about 991,200
nonfatal victimizations away from school (table 2.1). These figures represent total crime victimization rates of 52 victimizations per 1,000 students at school and 38 per 1,000 students away from school.
For most years between 1992 and 2008, the rates of theft at school among students ages 12–18 were higher than the rates of theft away from school, but there were no measurable differences between these rates in 2009, 2010, or 2011. In 2012, the rate of theft
5 Although Indicators 2 and 3 present information on similar topics, the survey sources for these two indicators differ with respect to time coverage and administration. For more information on these two surveys, please see appendix A.
6 “Students” refers to youth ages 12–18 whose educational attainment did not exceed grade 12 at the time of the survey. An uncertain percentage of these persons may not have attended school during the survey reference period. These data do not take into account the number of hours that students spend at school or away from school. 7 “Theft” includes attempted and completed purse- snatching, completed pickpocketing, and all attempted and completed thefts, with the exception of motor vehicle thefts. Theft does not include robbery, which involves the threat or use of force and is classified as a violent crime. 8 “Violent victimization” includes serious violent crimes and simple assault.
9 “At school” includes inside the school building, on school property, or on the way to or from school.
at school (24 victimizations per 1,000 students) was greater than the rate of theft away from school (18 per 1,000 students). Between 1992 and 2000, the rates of violent victimization per 1,000 students at school were either lower than the rates away from school or not measurably different than the rates away from school. Since 2001, the rates of violent victimization per 1,000 students at school have generally been higher than the rates away from school or not measurably different than the rates away from school. In 2012, the rate of violent victimization at school (29 per 1,000 students) was greater than the rate of violent victimization away from school (20 per 1,000 students). This difference was driven primarily by a higher rate of simple assault at school that year.10
Rates of serious violent victimization11 against students
ages 12–18 at school were generally lower than those occurring away from school in most survey years between 1992 and 2008; between 2009 and 2012 there were no measurable differences in these rates. Between 1992 and 2012, the total victimization rates for students ages 12–18 generally declined both at and away from school. The total victimization rate against students ages 12–18 at school decreased from 181 victimizations per 1,000 students in 1992 to 52 victimizations per 1,000 students in 2012. Away from school, the rate of total victimization declined from 173 victimizations per 1,000 students to 38 victimizations per 1,000 (figure 2.1).
This pattern also held for thefts, violent victimizations, and serious violent victimizations between 1992 and 2012. Thefts at school declined from a rate of 114 per 1,000 students to 24 per 1,000, and the rate of
Indicator 2 continued on page 11.
10 “Simple assault” is the difference between total violence and serious violence. It includes threats and attacks without a weapon or serious injury.
11 “Serious violent victimization” includes the crimes of rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.
This indicator has been updated to include 2012 data. For more information: Tables 2.1 and 2.2; Fredland (2008); and Crews, Crews, and Turner (2008).
theft away from school decreased from 79 thefts per 1,000 students to 18 per 1,000. The rate of violent victimization at school declined from 68 victimizations per 1,000 students in 1992 to 29 per 1,000 in 2012. Away from school, the rate of violent victimization declined from 94 victimizations per 1,000 students to 20 per 1,000. Serious violent victimizations at school declined from 8 per 1,000 students in 1992 to 3 per 1,000 in 2012. Serious violent victimization rates away from school declined from 43 victimizations per 1,000 students in 1992 to 7 per 1,000 in 2012.
In the most recent period between 2011 and 2012, there were no measurable differences in the rates of total, theft, violent, or serious violent victimizations at or away from school. However, the total, theft, and violent victimization rates at school increased from 2010 to 2012. The rates of total and violent victimization away from school increased from 2010 to 2012. Between 2010 and 2012, there were no measurable differences between the rates of theft away from school and serious violent victimization at school or away from school.
Figure 2.1. Rate of nonfatal victimization against students ages 12–18 per 1,000 students, by type of victimization and location: 1992–2012
0 50 100 150 200 0 50 100 150 200 0 50 100 150 200 0 50 100 150 200 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Rate per 1,000 Total victimization Year Year
All violent victimization
Theft
Year
Serious violent victimization1
At school Away from school Rate per 1,000
At school
Away from school
At school
Away from school
Away from school At school
Rate per 1,000
Year Rate per 1,000
1 Serious violent victimization is also included in all violent victimization.
NOTE: Due to methodological changes, use caution when comparing 2006 estimates to other years. “Serious violent victimization” includes the crimes of rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault. “All violent victimization” includes serious violent crimes as well as simple assault. “Theft” in- cludes attempted and completed purse-snatching, completed pickpocketing, and all attempted and completed thefts, with the exception of motor vehicle thefts. Theft does not include robbery, which involves the threat or use of force and is classified as a violent crime. “Total victimization” includes theft and violent crimes. “At school” includes inside the school building, on school property, or on the way to or from school. Although Indicators 2 and 3 present information on similar topics, the survey sources for these two indicators differ with respect to time coverage and administration. For more information on these two surveys, please see appendix A. Detail may not sum to total due to rounding. Estimates may vary from previously published reports. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), 1992–2012.
Nonfatal Student and Teacher Victimization
12
The victimization rates for students in 2012 varied according to student characteristics. The total victimization rate at school was greater for students ages 12–14 (65 per 1,000 students) than for students ages 15–18 (41 per 1,000 students; table 2.2). This age difference was due primarily to the higher rate of violent victimization at school for younger students (42 per 1,000 students ages 12–14) compared to older students (16 per 1,000 students ages 15–18). No measurable differences were found by age group in the rates of theft victimization at school. There were no measurable differences between age groups in the rates of total victimization, theft, and violent victimization away from school in 2012 (figure 2.2). The rates of total victimization at and away from school were greater for males than for females in 2012. Males experienced 60 nonfatal victimizations
per 1,000 students at school, compared to 45 victimizations per 1,000 females. Away from school, males experienced 45 nonfatal victimizations per 1,000 students, and females experienced 31 victimizations per 1,000 students (figure 2.3). The apparent differences between male and female rates of victimization for theft and violent crime at and away from school in 2012 were not statistically different. Students residing in urban or suburban areas had higher rates of violent victimization at school than those residing in rural areas in 2012. Violent victimization rates at school were 38 per 1,000 students in urban areas and 28 per 1,000 students in suburban areas, compared to 14 per 1,000 students in rural areas. There were no measurable differences in the violent victimization rates away from school for students living in urban, suburban, or rural areas.
Figure 2.2. Rate of nonfatal victimization against students ages 12–18 per 1,000 students, by location, type of victimization, and age: 2012
Rate per 1,000
Type of victimization
Away from school
Type of victimization 15–18 years 12–14 years 15–18 years 12–14 years Rate per 1,000 At school
Total Theft All violent Serious violent1
Total Theft All violent Serious violent1
0 50 100 64.7 41.1 22.3 24.8 42.4 16.2 5.6! 1.4! 0 50 100 36.9 39.1 18.1 18.1 18.8 21.1 6.3 6.7
! Interpret data with caution. Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or the coefficient of variation is greater than 50 percent.
1 Serious violent victimization is also included in all violent victimization.
NOTE: “Serious violent victimization” includes the crimes of rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault. “All violent victimization” includes serious violent crimes as well as simple assault. “Theft” includes attempted and completed purse-snatching, completed pickpocketing, and all attempted and completed thefts, with the exception of motor vehicle thefts. Theft does not include robbery, which involves the threat or use of force and is classified as a violent crime. “Total victimization” includes theft and violent crimes. “At school” includes inside the school building, on school property, or on the way to or from school. Although Indicators 2 and 3 present information on similar topics, the survey sources for these two indicators differ with respect to time coverage and administration. For more information on these two surveys, please see appendix A. The population size for students ages 12–18 was 26,052,400 in 2012. Detail may not sum to total due to rounding and missing data on student characteristics.
Nonfatal Student and Teacher Victimization
14
Figure 2.3. Rate of nonfatal victimization against students ages 12–18 per 1,000 students, by location, type of victimization, and sex: 2012
Rate per 1,000
Type of victimization
Away from school
Type of victimization Female Male Female Male Rate per 1,000 At school 0 50 100 44.6 31.1 20.5 15.5 24.1 15.6 8.8 4.1
Total Theft All violent Serious violent1
0 50 100 59.8 44.5 25.7 21.4 34.1 23.1 5.2! 1.5!
Total Theft All violent Serious violent1
!Interpret data with caution. Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or the coefficient of variation is greater than 50 percent.
1 Serious violent victimization is also included in all violent victimization.
NOTE: “Serious violent victimization” includes the crimes of rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault. “All violent victimization” includes serious violent crimes as well as simple assault. “Theft” includes attempted and completed purse-snatching, completed pickpocketing, and all at- tempted and completed thefts, with the exception of motor vehicle thefts. Theft does not include robbery, which involves the threat or use of force and is classified as a violent crime. “Total victimization” includes theft and violent crimes. “At school” includes inside the school building, on school property, or on the way to or from school. Although Indicators 2 and 3 present information on similar topics, the survey sources for these two indica- tors differ with respect to time coverage and administration. For more information on these two surveys, please see appendix A. The population size for students ages 12–18 was 26,052,400 in 2012. Detail may not sum to total due to rounding and missing data on student characteristics. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), 2012.
Nonfatal Student and Teacher Victimization
16