3 - Homicide in Canada, 2012 PDF

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Homicide in Canada, 2012 Basic Demographic Statistics  

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Homicide represented less than 1% of all violent crime in Canada in 2012 Following a year of increase, 2012 boasted the lowest homicide rate since 1966 o Following the overall trend, though, shows that there has been a general downward trend in murder and attempted murder over the past 3 decades Males continued to account for the majority of homicide victims, even though it reached its lowest point in more than 40 years The number of homicide victims declined among almost all age groups in 2012 – the largest decrease was in the number of homicides committed against 18 to 24-year-olds Canada’s homicide rate remains higher than the majority of its peer countries (5 th out of 17 comparable countries) Homicides decreased in almost all provinces/territories in 2012, with the largest declines in the Western provinces o Quebec, Ontario, and the Northwest Territories reported slight increases Homicide rates continue to be typically be higher in the western and northern parts of the country (Nunavut and Northwest Territories have highest rate) o The highest provincial homicide rate was in Manitoba, with Saskatchewan in second There were no homicides in Yukon or PEI in 2012; following them were Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick Ontario’s homicide rate remained stable Thunder Bay recorded the highest homicide rate among all census metropolitan areas, followed by Winnipeg, Regina, and Halifax Moncton, Kingston, Guelph, Brantford, and St. John’s all had no homicides in 2012 Edmonton and Halifax – huge decreases in homicide rate

In-Depth Statistics 

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Shootings and stabbings continued to be the most common methods to commit homicide o Alberta, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan – highest provincial firearm-related homicide rates o Halifax – highest CMA firearm-related homicide rate The number of fatal stabbings declined (one of the lowest rates in 40 years) o BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan – largest provincial decreases in the number of fatal stabbings o Manitoba – more then quadruple the national rate The number of fatal beatings decreased in 2012 (lowest rate in 40 years) No homicides resulting from Shaken Baby Syndrome Majority of firearm-related homicides that occurred in a CMA were committed with a handgun; majority that were not in a CMA involved a rifle or shotgun (there are exceptions in some CMAs, like Winnipeg) Gang-related homicides had generally been increasing until peaking in 2008 – in 2012, the rate remained stable as it had for the past three years o Saskatchewan had the highest provincial gang-related homicide rate

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o Manitoba dropped to its lowest rate since 2002 in the same statistic o Saskatoon – highest rate among CMAs Majority of gang-related homicides involved a firearm (usually a handgun) Majority of gang-related homicides involved drugs Majority of gang-related homicides were motivated by a settling of accounts or financial gain; homicides that were not gang-related were most commonly motivated by an argument or frustration/anger/despair Majority of homicides in 2012 were solved o Nunavut had the highest solving rate, and Manitoba had the highest of the provinces; BC and Nova Scotia had the lowest Homicides involving gangs, drug-trade, or firearms have been found to have a lower probability of being solved than other types of homicides Stranger-related homicides at their lowest point in more than 40 years Victims continued to be most likely killed by an acquaintance; a little over one-third of victims were killed by family members Intimate-partner violence accounts for about one-quarter of all violent crimes that come to the attention of the police – this rate has stayed stable over the five years leading up to 2012 o Consistently been higher for females o Highest for those between 25 and 34 years old (both male and female) Majority of intimate partner homicides involved a single victim (five incidents that involved multiple) The number of homicides resulting from working in an illegal occupation has increased

The Accused 

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A vast majority of homicides are committed by men, and this has maintained its stability over many years o Most are young (majority are between 18-34 years old) Majority of those accused of homicide had a prior conviction, most commonly for a violent offence The rate of youth accused of homicide in 2012 marked the lowest rate in over a decade and one of the lowest rates in more than 40 years (both male and female) o Homicides committed by youth were more likely than those committed by adults to involve another accused o Youth accused appear more likely to be involved in gang-related homicides than adult accused o There were no children (under 12) accused of homicide in 2012 Majority of those accused of homicide had consumed alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants The proportion of all accused suspected to have a mental/developmental disorder has been increasing steadily since 2003 o Higher prevalence of suspected disorders was reported for females than for males o High prevalence for those 65 or older...