Deck 4: The Nature and Prevalence of Crime

Question 1

Discuss the variations in 'fear of crime' according to age and gender.

Answer 1

Responses could include:
According to crime victimisation surveys:
-Men are more likely to feel safe walking alone after dark (over 60%)
-Only 30% of women felt safe walking alone after dark
-Those over the age of 60 felt very unsafe walking alone after dark even though the risk of victimisation for this age group is lower than other age groups
-Those falling between the ages of 25 and 59 felt safer walking alone after dark

Question 2

Outline the findings from the study: Counting the Costs of Crime in Australia: A 2011 Estimate

Answer 2

Response should include:
-Crime is a significant financial burden for the Australian economy
-The total estimated cost of crime (in millions of dollars): 2001, 19 030; 2005, 21 342; 2011, 22 995
-Drug abuse rose from 10% in 2001 to 26% in 2011
-Burglary is the highest property crime in 2001; criminal damage is the highest in 2011
-Assault is the highest in 2001 and 2011; arson is highest in 2005

Question 3

Which of the following are types of financial costs associated with crime?

A)Household precautions
B)Insurance administration
C)Security
D)All of the above

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Why is it important to study the financial costs of crime?

Question 5

Crime statistics have only been collated and reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics since:

A)1983
B)1993
C)2003
D)2013

Question 6

There have been noticeable changes in drug arrest trends in Australia since 1995.Plot a brief history of what has taken place from 1995 to current times.

Question 7

Describe the purpose of victimisation surveys, explaining their value and also their limitations

Question 8

Specifically related to illicit drug arrest, what does the term "consumer" mean?

A)The person charged with user-type offence
B)The person charged with supply-type offence
C)Any person who is arrested for illicit drug use
D)None of the above

Question 9

What is the difference between prevalence rate and incidence rate with regard to victimisation rates?

A)Prevalence rate is the total number of offences, whilst incidence rate is the number of individual victims.
B)Prevalence rate and incidence rate mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably.
C)Prevalence rate is the total number of individual victims, whereas incidence rate is the total number of offences.
D)Prevalence rate only refers to repeat victims crimes, whereas incidence rate is the total number of offences.

Question 10

Reported rates of household crime have declined since 2008.

Question 11

Why do we need to be cautious about comparing crime rates between countries?