Nonfatal Violent Victimization of Juveniles Returns to Prepandemic Levels

Nonfatal Violent Victimization of Juveniles Returns to Prepandemic Levels

WASHINGTON ― The rate of nonfatal violent victimization for persons ages 12 to 17 was higher in 2022 (27.4 per 1,000) than 2021 (13.2 per 1,000), according to a new Bureau of Justice Statistics report, Crimes Involving Juveniles, 1993-2022. The 2022 rate was not statistically different from the 2018 (34.2 per 1,000) rate for persons ages 12 to 17. Similar patterns were observed for persons ages 18 to 24 and those age 25 or older.

"The 2022 increase in nonfatal violent victimizations - among juveniles and adults - largely reflects a return to prepandemic levels," said Kevin M. Scott, Ph.D., BJS Acting Director.

The rate of nonfatal violent victimization (which includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault) of persons ages 12 to 17 declined 85% in the 30 years from 1993 (184.8 per 1,000) to 2022 (27.4 per 1,000), based on BJS's National Crime Victimization Survey.

An estimated 710 persons age 11 or younger and 1,410 persons ages 12 to 17 were victims of homicide in 2022, according to the FBI's Supplementary Homicide Reports. In 2022, the homicide rate was higher for persons age 18 or older (7.5 per 100,000) than for persons ages 12 to 17 (5.4 per 100,000) and persons age 11 or younger (1.4 per 100,000).

"Unlike the nonfatal violent victimization rate, the homicide rate among persons ages 12 to 17 increased during the more recent five-year period, from 2.9 per 100,000 in 2018 to 5.4 per 100,000 in 2022," said Dr. Scott.

In both 2021 and 2022, among incidents where the perceived offender's age was reported, less than 10% of nonfatal violent incidents were committed by a person the victim perceived to be between the ages of 12 and 17.

Juveniles' share of arrests for violent crimes rose in 2022, with juveniles accounting for 9.9% of all arrests for violent crime, up from 8.7% in 2021. The percentage of persons arrested for property crimes who were juveniles increased from 2021 (8.1%) to 2022 (9.3%).

These and other findings are from BJS's National Crime Victimization Survey, the FBI's Supplementary Homicide Reports and the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System.

Crimes Involving Juveniles, 1993-2022 was written by BJS Statisticians Susannah N. Tapp, Ph.D.; Alexandra Thompson; Erica L. Smith; and Lizabeth Remrey, Ph.D. This report, related documents and additional information about BJS's statistical publications and programs are available on the BJS website at bjs.ojp.gov.

About the Bureau of Justice Statistics

The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the U.S. Department of Justice's principal federal agency responsible for collecting, analyzing and disseminating reliable statistics on crime and criminal justice in the United States. Kevin M. Scott, Ph.D., is the acting director. More information about BJS and criminal justice statistics can be found at bjs.ojp.gov.

About the Office of Justice Programs

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices - the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and SMART Office - can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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