- Nationwide, there were an estimated 860,853
aggravated assaults during 2006. The rate of aggravated assaults in the
nation was estimated at 287.5 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants (Federal
Bureau of Investigation, 2006).
- The types of weapons used in aggravated assault in
2006 were firearms, 22%; knives or cutting instruments 19%; other weapons
such as clubs, blunt objects, etc., 35%, and personal weapons such as hands,
fists, feet, etc, 25% (numbers do not add up to 100% due to rounding).
Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2006.
- The distribution of incidents of aggravated assault
based on the victim's activity were working or on duty, 15%; on the way to
or from work, 2%, on the way to or from school, 4%, on the way to or from
some other place, 12% and shopping or running errands, 4%. In terms of
distribution of incidents by distance from home, 12% occurred inside the
home or lodging; 19% near the victims' home, and 22% one mile from home or
less (FBI, 2006).
- Research estimates that 57% of assaults are committed by strangers and
43% are committed by nonstrangers (numbers do not add up to 100% due to
rounding). (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2006).
Definition
Aggravated assault is classified by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program as a
violent crime. The FBI defines aggravated assault as "an unlawful attack by
one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury.
This type of assault is usually accompanied by the use of a weapon
or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm." Attempted aggravated assaults that involves the
display of – or threat to use – a gun, knife,
or other weapon is included in this crime category because serious personal injury would likely result
if the assault were completed. When aggravated assault and larceny-theft occur together, the offense falls
under the category of robbery (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2006).
Overview
In examining crime in the United States, the National Crime
Prevention Council maintains that assault is the most common violent crime, by a
"substantial margin" (National Crime Prevention Council, 1991).
An examination of the 10-year trend
data for the rate of aggravated assaults revealed the the rate in 2006 declined
almost 25% when compared with the rate for 1997 (FBI, 2006). While no
specific racial, gender, age or economic group accounts for all offenders of
aggravated assault, reports by the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicate that
a disproportionate number of those arrested were white males. In 1995,
eighty-two percent (82%) of those arrested for aggravated assault were male and
eighteen percent (18%) were female, while whites constituted sixty percent
(60%), blacks accounted for thirty-eight percent (38%) and the remainder of
offenders were represented by all other races (Federal Bureau of Investigation,
1996).
The threat of serious personal injury and possible death is substantial in incidents of
aggravated assault. The Bureau of Census estimated that in a period of one year, 93.8
percent (93.8%) of all assaults involved some type of weaponry and 32.8 percent (32.8%)
resulted in victim injury (Bureau of Census, 1991).
In 1993, firearms were used in more than twenty-three percent (23%) of all incidents of
aggravated assault and twenty-six percent (26%) involved personal weapons such as hands,
fists, and feet. Additional weapons utilized were blunt and other dangerous objects (33%)
and knives or cutting instruments (18%) (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1996).
In examining where and when incidents of aggravated assault are most likely to occur, the
1994 National Crime Victimization Survey found that fourteen percent (14%) of all assaults
occur in the home; seven percent (7%) occur at a friend's, relative's or neighbor's home;
and three percent (3%) occur in the street near the victim's home (Bureau of Justice
Statistics, 1997). Additionally, this study concluded that fifty-five percent (55%) of
assaults occurred during the day (6 A.M. to 6 P.M.).
Unlike other violent crimes, incidents of assault are represented almost evenly by
strangers and nonstrangers. The Bureau of Justice Statistics has estimated that fifty-two
percent (52%) of assaults were committed by strangers, as compared to forty-nine percent
(49%) committed by nonstrangers (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1997).
Prevention Tips
While becoming a victim of crime is never the fault
of the victim, the National Crime Prevention Council has established the following list of
practices that may help safeguard individuals from becoming victims of assault:
- Stand tall and walk with confidence. Watch where you
are going and what is going on around you.
- Walk along well-lit and busy streets. Walk with
friends. Avoid shortcuts, dark alleys, deserted streets and wooded areas.
- Know your neighborhood. Identify police and fire
stations, libraries, schools - as well as the hours of operation of local
stores and restaurants.
- Don't carry more money than you will need for the
day, but do carry emergency change for a telephone call.
- When you are out late at night, have a friend
accompany you - don't go alone. Also, let someone know where you will be going
and when you will return.
- Never hitchhike.
- When driving, always park in well-lit places and lock
your doors.
- Before entering your vehicle, check for offenders
hiding in the back seat or on the floor.
- If harassed or assaulted, scream and attempt to run to safety.
While these steps may do more to protect victims of assault by
strangers, some are applicable to those assaulted by non-strangers. Finally, whether it is
a stranger or non-stranger assault, it is important to report the incident to local law
enforcement immediately. Crime prevention and awareness, as well as consistent reporting,
may be the strongest defenses against becoming the victim of an assault.
References
Bureau of Census. (1991).
Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1991. Washington,DC: US
Department of Commerce. Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2006). Criminal
Victimization in the United States,2006. Washington, DC: Bureau of
Justice Statistics, US Department of Justice.
Federal Bureau of
Investigation. (2006). Crime in the United States, 2006. Washington,
DC: USGPO.
National Crime Prevention Council. (1991). Crime and
Crime Prevention Statistics, 1991 Edition. Washington, DC:
.
National Crime Prevention Council. The Art of Street Smarts:
Knowing How to Protect Yourself and Your Friends Makes Good Sense.
Washington, DC: National Crime Prevention Council.
Office of Policy and
Program Evaluation. (1991). INDICES: Statistical Index to District of
Columbia Services. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human
Services.
Bibliography
National Center for Victims of Crime. (1998). "Rights of Crime
Victims," FYI, Arlington, VA: National Center for
Victims of Crime.
National Center for Victims of Crime. (1996). "State
Compensation Laws," FYI, Arlington, VA: National Center
for Victims of Crime.
National Center for Victims of Crime. (1997). "Trauma of
Victimization," FYI, Arlington, VA: National Center for
Victims of Crime.
For additional information, please contact:
National Crime Prevention Council
2345 Crystal Drive,
#500
Arlington, VA 22202
(202) 466-6272
www.ncpc.org
National Center for Victims of Crime
2000 M Street NW,
Suite 480
Washington, DC 20036
Office Phone: (202) 467-8700
Helpline
hours are Monday through Friday 8:30am to 8:30pm ET:
Toll-free helpline:
1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255)
Fax: (202) 467-8701
TTY/TDD:
1-800-211-7996
Email: gethelp@ncvc.org
www.ncvc.org
Your state Attorney General, county/city prosecutor, or county/city
law enforcement:
Check in the Blue Pages of your local phone book
under the appropriate section heading of either "Local Governments," "County
Governments," or "State Government."