Discussion: The Role of Bias

Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report

August 2007, NCJ 214258

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs

Black Victims of Violent Crime by Erika Harrell, Ph.D.

BJS Statistician

Blacks were victims of an estimated 805,000 nonfatal violent crimes and of about 8,000 homicides in 2005. While blacks accounted for 13% of the U.S. population in 2005, they were victims in 15% of all nonfatal violent crimes and nearly half of all homicides. These findings are based on data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR), Supplementary Homicide Reports.

Among blacks the risk of nonfatal violent victimization var- ied across demographic characteristics. During the 5-year period from 2001 to 2005, comparative nonfatal violent vic- timizations showed –

• Black males were more vulnerable to violent victimization than black females.

• Younger blacks were generally more likely than older blacks to be victims of violence.

• Blacks who had never married were more likely than all other blacks to be victims of violence.

• Blacks in households with lower annual incomes were at a greater risk of violence than those in households with higher annual incomes.

• Blacks living in urban areas were more likely than those in suburban or rural areas to be victims of violence.

Black victims of homicide were most likely to be male (85%) and between ages 17 and 29 (51%). Homicides against blacks were more likely than those against whites to occur in highly populated areas, including cities and sub- urbs. About 53% of homicides against blacks in 2005 took place in areas with populations of at least 250,000 people, compared to about 33% of homicides of white victims. Blacks were killed with a firearm in about 77% of homicides against them.

Overall, the rates of nonfatal violent victimization against blacks were stable between 2001 and 2005, after declining about 57% from 1993 to 2001. During the 5-year period from 2001 to 2005, the average annual rate of nonfatal violent victimization against blacks was 29 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older. For whites the rate was 23 per 1,000, and for Hispanics, 24 per 1,000. Among all groups examined, only American Indians (57 per 1,000) had a higher average annual rate of nonfatal violent victimization than blacks.

Between 2001 and 2005, about half of all nonfatal violence against blacks was characterized as a serious violent crime, which includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault and excludes simple assault. Robbery accounted for about 15% of violent crimes against blacks, a higher percentage than for whites (9%), but similar to that for Hispanics (15%). Aggravated assault made up more than a quarter of violence against black victims, compared to 18% of violence against white victims.

Of nonfatal violent crimes against blacks, nearly 14% involved an offender armed with a firearm and about a third resulted in an injury to the victim. About half of all nonfatal violent crimes against blacks were reported to police.

Nonfatal violent victimization declined for blacks/African Americans, whites, and Hispanics age 12 or older between 1993 and 2005

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 0

20

40

60

80

Rate of nonfatal violent victimization

Black*

White*

Hispanic

per 1,000 persons age 12 or older

*Not Hispanic or Latino.

2 Black Victims of Violent Crime

Violent victimization rates for blacks declined from 1993 to 2001 but were stable from 2001 to 2005

The overall rate of nonfatal violent victimization against blacks declined by nearly 57% between 1993 and 2001 (table 1). The rate for the overall population declined 54% during the period (not shown in table). Except for persons age 50 or older, the violent victimization rates declined for all subgroups of the black population that were examined. The decline for black males (61%) was somewhat greater than for black females (53%) (figure 1). By location of residence, from 1993 to 2001 the decline in the rates of violent victimization for blacks in urban areas was smaller than for blacks in rural areas and slightly larger than for those in suburban areas (figure 2).

Between 2001 and 2005, the rate of nonfatal violent crimes against blacks did not change significantly despite apparent fluctuations for some subgroups. For the overall population the rate was stable. During this period, there were no significant changes in the rates of violent victimization by gender, age, or location of residence.

In 2005 black males were somewhat more vulnerable to violent crimes than black females. Blacks age 24 and under had higher rates of violent victimization than blacks age 25 or older. Blacks living in urban areas had the highest rates of violent victimization in 2005, and those in rural areas had the lowest rates.

Table 1. Violent victimization rates of blacks/African Americans by gender, age, and location of residence, 1993, 2001, and 2005

Characteristic of victim

Violent victimization rate Percent change 1993 2001 2005 1993-2001 2001-2005

Total 69.3 29.7 28.6 -57.1%† -3.7%ns

Gender Male 79.7 31.4 33.0 -60.7%† 5.3%ns Female 60.6 28.4 25.0 -53.2† -11.9ns

Age 12-15 133.0 51.3 46.5 -61.4%† -9.4%ns 16-19 124.9 69.5 71.9 -44.4† 3.4ns 20-24 119.6 38.3 51.4 -68.0† 34.3ns 25-34 61.5 29.5 29.5 -52.0† 0.1ns 35-49 62.6 22.6 20.1 -64.0† -11.0ns 50-64 18.4 18.8 16.1 2.3ns -14.7ns 65 or older 11.0 4.7* 1.1* -57.1ns -77.8ns

Location of residence Urban 86.7 38.2 37.3 -56.0%† -2.2%ns Suburban 54.3 24.9 20.2 -54.2† -18.9

ns

Rural 37.2 9.3 18.2 -74.9† 95.0ns

nsNot statistically significant. †Significant at 0.95. *Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

The National Crime Victimization Survey

The NCVS is the Nation’s primary source of information on the frequency, characteristics, and consequences of criminal victimization. One of the largest continuous household surveys conducted by the Federal Government, the NCVS collects information about crimes both reported and not reported to police.

The survey provides the largest national forum for victims to describe their experiences of victimization, the impact of crime, and the characteristics of violent offenders.

For current overall estimates of criminal victimization in the United States, see Criminal Victimization, 2005, at <www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/cv05.htm>. Other findings from the NCVS are also on the BJS website.

Violent victimization of blacks/African Americans by location of residence, 1993-2005

Figure 2

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 0

20

40

60

80

100

Urban

Suburban

Rural

Rate of violent victimization per 1,000 black persons age 12 or older

Violent victimization of blacks/African Americans, by gender, 1993-2005

Figure 1

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 0

20

40

60

80

100

Male

Female

Rate of violent victimization per 1,000 black persons age 12 or older

Black Victims of Violent Crime 3

In 2005 nearly half of all homicide victims were black

Blacks accounted for 49% of all homicide victims in 2005, according to the FBI's UCR.* Black males accounted for about 52% (or 6,800) of the nearly 13,000 male homicide victims in 2005. Black females made up 35% (or 1,200) of the nearly 3,500 female homicide victims. The number of black males murdered increased between 2004 and 2005, while the number of black females murdered remained the same (figure 3). A higher percentage of black homicide vic- tims (36%) than white victims (26%) were ages 13 to 24. About half (51%) of black homicide victims were ages 17 to 29, compared to about 37% of white victims.

Homicides against blacks were more likely than those against whites to occur in highly populated areas, including cities and suburbs. About half (53%) of black homicides in 2005 took place in areas with populations of at least 250,000 people. A third (33%) of white homicides occurred in places with that size population.

In 2005 most homicides involving one victim and one offender were intraracial. About 93% of black homicide vic- tims and 85% of white victims in single victim and single offender homicides were murdered by someone of their race. Women were the offenders in about 10% of single victim and single offender homicides of both blacks and whites.

Intimate partners (current or former spouses, boyfriends, or girlfriends, including same-sex relationships) were respon- sible for relatively fewer homicides among blacks (6%) than among whites (12%) in 2005. Gang violence accounted for about 5% of black homicides and about 7% of white homi- cides. Blacks were killed with firearms in about 77% of homicides against them in 2005, compared to 60% of white homicide victims.

*For overall estimates of homicides, see Homicide Trends in the United States <www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/homtrnd.htm>.

Violent crime rates between 2001 and 2005 were higher for blacks than for whites, Hispanics, and Asians

Between 2001 and 2005 blacks had higher rates of violent victimization than whites, Hispanics, and Asians (table 2). American Indians were the only group that had rates higher than blacks.

Blacks were more likely to experience an aggravated assault than whites or Hispanics

Between 2001 and 2005 the average annual rate of aggra- vated assault for blacks (8 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older) was nearly twice that of whites (4 per 1,000) and slightly higher than that of Hispanics (5 per 1,000). While blacks were more likely than whites to experience aggra- vated assault, blacks and whites were equally likely to experience a simple assault during the 5-year period. Blacks were at a greater risk of rape or sexual assault than any other racial/ethnic group except American Indians.

Serious violent crime made up nearly half of nonfatal violent crimes against blacks between 2001 and 2005

Serious violent victimization consists of rape or sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault. It usually involves serious injury to the victim or an offender armed with a weapon. These offenses comprised about 48% of the violent crimes against blacks between 2001 and 2005, a percentage higher than that for whites, American Indians and Hispanics but similar to that of Asians.

Race/Hispanic origin

Serious violent crime as a per- cent of all nonfatal violent crime, 2001-2005

Black/African American* 48.0% White* 31.0 American Indian/Alaska

Native* 30.5 Asian/Pacific Islander* 42.1 Hispanic/Latino 40.1

*Not Hispanic or Latino.

Homicide victims by race and gender of the victim, 1993-2005

Figure 3

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 0

2,500

5,000

7,500

10,000

12,500 Number of homicide victims

Black male

White male

Note: Excludes victims of other races and unknown race. Data include Hispanic or Latino persons.

White female

Black female

Table 2. Average annual violent victimization rate by race/ Hispanic origin and type of crime, 2001-2005

Rate per 1,000 persons age 12 or older Race/Hispanic origin

Total vio- lent crime

Rape/sexual assault Robbery

Assault Aggravated Simple

Black/African Americana 28.7 1.7 4.3 7.7 14.9

Whitea 22.8 0.9 2.0 4.2 15.7 American Indian/

Alaska Nativea 56.8 0.9b 4.8b 11.6 39.5 Asian/Pacific Islandera 10.6 0.5b 2.3 1.7 6.2 Hispanic/Latino 24.3 0.8 3.6 5.3 14.5 aNot Hispanic or Latino. bBased on 10 or fewer sample cases.

4 Black Victims of Violent Crime

Among blacks, males and those in urban areas were the most vulnerable to robbery victimization

Between 2001 and 2005, blacks were victims of an aver- age of about 121,000 robberies per year, representing an average annual robbery victimization rate of about 4 per 1,000 blacks age 12 or older. This was higher than the rate for whites and similar to that for Hispanics. Between 2001 and 2005, robberies made up about 15% of all violent crime against blacks, a percentage higher than that for whites and similar to that for Hispanics (see appendix table 5).

Between 2001 and 2005, blacks ages 12 to 19 made up about 37% of all black robbery victims, a percentage similar to that for Hispanics (table 3). Males made up the majority of robbery victims among blacks, whites and Hispanics. About a third of black robbery victims lived in households with annual incomes of less than $15,000.

Black robbery victims were less likely than white victims and as likely as Hispanic robbery victims to live in house- holds with annual incomes of at least $50,000. Black rob- bery victims (65%) were more likely than white robbery vic- tims (41%) to live in urban areas.

About 40% of black robbery victims faced an offender armed with a firearm (table 4). They were more likely than white and Hispanic robbery victims to face an offender with a firearm. Blacks were as likely as Hispanics and whites to be injured during a robbery.

The rate of robbery victimization for blacks decreased from about 13 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older in 1993 to about 4 per 1,000 in 2001 (figure 4). There was no differ- ence between the 2001 and 2005 rates of robbery for blacks.

Table 3. Robbery victimization by gender, age, annual household income, and location of residence, by race/ Hispanic origin, 2001-2005

Characteristic of robbery victim

Percent of robbery crimes Black/African Americana Whitea

Hispanic/ Latino

Total 100% 100% 100%

Gender Male 66.7% 64.5% 65.9% Female 33.3 35.5 34.1

Age 12-19 36.9% 21.9% 27.4% 20-24 11.9 18.0 18.1 25-34 20.2 18.5 27.9 35-49 17.6 24.1 16.3 50-64 10.1 12.0 7.4 65 or older 3.2b 5.5 2.9b

Annual household income Less than $7,500 17.2% 10.7% 5.3%b

$7,500 to $14,999 18.0 11.7 15.4 $15,000 to $24,999 21.4 12.8 27.7 $25,000 to $34,999 15.6 12.1 17.6 $35,000 to $49,999 10.7 14.1 16.6 $50,000 or more 17.0 38.5 17.4

Location of residence Urban 64.7% 41.0% 68.8% Suburban 27.6 47.8 30.7 Rural 7.7 11.2 0.5b

Note: Detail may not add to 100% due to rounding. aNot Hispanic or Latino. bBased on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Robbery victimization by victim race/Hispanic origin, 1993-2005

Figure 4

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 0

5

10

15

20

Rate of robbery victimization per 1,000 persons age 12 or older

Black*Hispanic

White*

*Not Hispanic or Latino.

Table 4. Weapons present and injuries sustained by victim during robbery, by victim race/Hispanic origin, 2001-2005

Percent of robbery crimes Characteristic of robbery incident

Black/African Americana Whitea

Hispanic/ Latino

Total 100% 100% 100%

Presence and type of weapon No weapon 28.4% 43.1% 37.8% Weapon 57.3 45.2 47.5

Firearm 39.8 21.4 24.4 Knife 7.9 12.0 14.9 Other 6.6 9.8 7.7 Unknown 3.1b 2.0 0.5b

Do not know if offender had weapon 14.2 11.7 14.7

Injury Not injured 66.1% 61.6% 64.5% Injured 33.9 38.4 35.5

Note: Excludes persons who did not know if they had been injured. Detail may not add to total due to rounding. aNot Hispanic or Latino. bBased on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Black Victims of Violent Crime 5

Most nonfatal violence against blacks was intraracial; victim/offender relationship varied by victim gender

About four-fifths of black victims of nonfatal violence per- ceived the offenders to be black (table 5). About 12% of black victims perceived the offender to be white, while about 8% thought the offender was neither black nor white (categorized as other races on table 5). Blacks (78%) were more likely to be victims of intraracial violence than whites (70%).

Black males were more likely to be violently victimized by strangers than black females (table 6). Black female victims of violent crime were more likely than black male victims to be victimized by an intimate partner. Intimate partner vio- lence accounted for 21% of violent victimizations against black females, compared to about 5% of victimizations against black males. The gender disparity for intimate part- ner violence among blacks was similar to that for other vic- tims.

Rate of nonfatal gang violence against blacks was about 3 per 1,000 between 2001 and 2005

The rate of violent crimes against blacks that were committed by offenders who were perceived to be gang members was higher than that for whites and Asians but similar to that for Hispanics and American Indians.

Between 2001 and 2005 blacks perceived the offender to be a member of a street gang in about 9% of violent crimes against them. In 43% of violence against blacks, the victim did not know if the offender was a gang member.

A quarter of violence against blacks was committed by offenders under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Black victims were less likely than white victims, somewhat less likely than American Indian victims, and as likely as Asian and Hispanic victims to face an offender under the influence of alcohol or drugs. About 25% of nonfatal violence against blacks involved an offender perceived to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The victim did not know if the offender was under the influence of alcohol or drugs in 48% of violence against blacks (not shown on table).

Race/Hispanic origin of victims who perceived offender to be a gang member

Rate per 1,000 persons age 12 or older, 2001-2005

Black/African Americana 2.5 Whitea 0.9 American Indian/Alaska Nativea 1.8b

Asian/Pacific Islandera 0.5b

Hispanic/Latino 2.7 aNot Hispanic or Latino. bBased on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Victims perceived offender to be a gang member

Percent of nonfatal violent crime against blacks, 2001-2005

Gang member 9.1% Not a gang member 47.8 Unsure of gang membership 43.0

Note: Detail may not add to 100% due to rounding.

Race/Hispanic origin of victims who perceived offender to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Percent of violent crime, 2001-2005

Black/African American* 25.3% White* 31.2 American Indian/Alaska Native* 39.5 Asian/Pacific Islander* 23.4 Hispanic/Latino 26.9

*Not Hispanic or Latino.

Table 6. Victim/offender relationship of black/African American victims and other victims, by gender, 2001-2005

Percent of violent victimization

Victim/offender relationship

Black/African American victimsa Other victimsb

Male Female Male Female

Total 100% 100% 100% 100% Intimate 4.6 20.9 3.5 21.6 Other relatives 3.9 7.9 4.7 9.1 Well known/casual acquaintance 35.6 37.9 34.1 35.9 Stranger 55.9 33.4 57.7 33.4

Note: Excludes data in which the victim/offender relationship was unknown. Detail may not add to 100% due to rounding. aNot Hispanic or Latino. bIncludes non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic American Indians, non- Hispanic Asians and other Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic or Latino persons of any race.

Table 5. Percent of violent victimization, by victim race/ Hispanic origin and offender race, 2001-2005

Victim race/Hispanic origin Offender racea

Black/African Americanb Whiteb

American Indian/ Alaska Nativeb

Asian/Paci- fic Islanderb

Hispanic/ Latino

Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% White 11.5 69.7 47.3 37.1 46.9 Black/African

American 77.7 15.1 12.4 26.8 19.4 Other races 8.2 12.0 37.9 34.3 30.0 Two or more

races 2.6 3.2 2.6c 1.8c 3.7

Note: The other offender race category includes American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians, and other Pacific Islanders. The two or more race category includes offenders who were of more than one race. Excludes data in which race of the offender was unknown. aIncludes Hispanic or Latino persons. bNot Hispanic or Latino. cBased on 10 or fewer sample cases.

6 Black Victims of Violent Crime

About 1 in 7 black victims of nonfatal violence were confronted by an offender with a firearm

Between 2001 and 2005, about 35% of all violent crime against blacks involved offenders with a weapon. Weapons included firearms, knives, and other objects used as a weapon. Black victims were more likely than whites, American Indians, and Hispanics to face an offender with a weapon. They were somewhat more likely than Asians to face an offender with a weapon.

Black victims were as likely as Asian victims and more likely than victims of other racial or ethnic groups to face an offender with a firearm. Black victims faced an offender armed with firearms in about 14% of nonfatal violence against them.

About a third of black victims of nonfatal violence were injured during the crime

Black victims sustained an injury in about 31% of all nonfatal violent crime between 2001 and 2005. About 54% of injured black victims of violence did not receive treatment for their injuries (table 7). About a quarter of injured black victims were treated as outpatients in a hospital or hospital emergency department.

Injured black victims of serious violent crime (52%) were more likely to be treated than those injured in a simple assault (37%) (table 8). Simple assault usually involves less serious injuries than serious violent crime.

Race/Hispanic origin

Percent of violent crime, 2001-2005 Weapon Firearm

Black/African Americana 35.1% 14.3% Whitea 21.3 6.6 American Indian/Alaska

Nativea 21.4 2.2b

Asian/Pacific Islandera 25.8 10.2 Hispanic/Latino 28.8 9.7 aNot Hispanic or Latino. bBased on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Table 7. Injury and treatment of black/African American victims of violent crime, 2001-2005

Percent of violent victimization Injury and treatment All Injured

Total 100%

Not injured 68.9%

Injured 31.1% 100% Not treated 16.9 54.3 Treated 14.2 45.7

At scene, home, neighbors, or friends 4.2 13.4

Doctor's office, clinic, health unit, stadium, park 0.9 3.0

Hospital Not admitted 7.4 23.7 Overnight stay 1.6 5.0

Other locations 0.2* 0.6*

Note: Excludes persons who did not know if they had been injured or treated for an injury. Detail may not add to total due to rounding. *Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Table 8. Treatment of injuries sustained by black/African American violent crime victims, by crime seriousness, 2001-2005

Percent of violent victimization resulting in injury

Treatment Serious violent crime

Simple assault

Total 100% 100%

Not treated 47.9% 62.8%

Treated 52.1% 37.2% At scene, home, neighbors, or friends 12.6 14.5 Doctor's office, clinic, health unit,

stadium, park 2.3* 4.0* Hospital Not admitted 28.3 17.4 Overnight stay 8.3 0.6* Other locations 0.4* 0.7*

Note: Excludes persons who did not know if they received treatment. Detail may not add to total due to rounding *Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Black Victims of Violent Crime 7

Use of a weapon in nonfatal serious violence against blacks did not change between 1993 and 2005

In 2005 about 72% of serious violent crime against blacks involved an offender armed with a weapon (figure 5). This percentage was equivalent to that for whites and Hispanics. A similar pattern was found in 1993.

Among black victims, in 2005 about 40% of serious violent crime involved injury to the victim (figure 6). There was no difference in the percentages between blacks, Hispanics, and whites. Despite some fluctuations, the percent of seri- ous violent crime in which the victim sustained an injury did not substantially change between 1993 and 2005. A similar pattern was found among Hispanics, while whites had a slight increase in the percent injured.

About half of all nonfatal violence against blacks was reported to police between 2001 and 2005

Between 2001 and 2005, about 55% of all violent crimes committed against blacks were reported to police. Violence against black victims was more likely than violence against white victims and as likely as violence against victims of other racial/ethnic groups to be reported to police. Among black victims, robbery (62%) and aggravated assault (67%) were the violent crimes most likely to be reported (table 9).

Race/Hispanic origin

Percent of violent crime reported to police, 2001-2005

Black/African American* 54.7% White* 47.7 American Indian/Alaska Native* 58.2 Asian/Pacific Islander* 51.3 Hispanic/Latino 52.1

*Not Hispanic or Latino.

Serious violent crime in which the victim was injured, by victim race/Hispanic origin, 1993-2005

Figure 6

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50% Percent of serious violent crime

Hispanic

Black*

White*

*Not Hispanic or Latino.

Serious violent crime in which the offender had a weapon, by victim race/Hispanic origin, 1993-2005

Figure 5

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 0%

25%

50%

75%

100% Percent of serious violent crime

Hispanic Black*

White*

*Not Hispanic or Latino.

Table 9. Percent of violent victimization reported to police by black/African American victims, by type of crime, 2001-2005

Percent of violent victimization

Type of crime Total Reported to police

Not reported to police

Rape/sexual assault 100% 28.4 71.6 Robbery 100% 61.5 38.5 Aggravated assault 100% 66.7 33.3 Simple assault 100% 49.5 50.5

Note: Excludes cases for which police reporting was unknown.

8 Black Victims of Violent Crime

Violence against blacks that was reported to police varied by victim’s gender and age (table 10). Violence against black females was more likely than violence against black males (63% compared to 47%) to be reported to police. Violent crime against the oldest blacks was more likely to be reported than violent crime against the youngest. About 73% of violence against blacks age 65 or older were reported to police, compared to about a third of violent crime against black victims ages 12 to 15.

Police responded quickly to the majority of reported nonfatal violence against blacks

According to black victims, police responded within an hour in about 91% of reported violent victimizations. Police response to nonfatal violence against blacks was similar to that for whites and Hispanics.

Black victims of violence were slightly more likely than Hispanics to use services of nonpolice victim agencies

In about 9% of violent crimes against blacks, the victim sought help from nonpolice agencies that provided services to victims of crime. Black victims of rape or sexual assault were as likely as victims of other types of violent crime to seek assistance from such agencies (table 11). Overall, blacks were as likely as whites, but slightly more likely than Hispanics to seek help from nonpolice victim agencies.

The percentage of black victims of nonfatal violent crime who contacted a nonpolice agency for help fluctuated between 1993 and 2005. It reached 11% in 2005 which was similar to the percentage in 1998 and 2003 (figure 7).

Race/Hispanic origin of victim who reported violent crime to police

Percent of violent crime in which police responded within an hour, 2001-2005

Black/African American* 90.7% White* 88.7 Hispanic/Latino 90.9

*Not Hispanic or Latino.

Race/Hispanic origin

Percent of violent crime in which victims received help from nonpolice victim agencies, 2001-2005

Black/African American* 9.1% White* 8.5 Hispanic/Latino 6.5

*Not Hispanic or Latino.

Percent of violent crime against blacks/African Americans in which victim received services from nonpolice victim agencies, 1993-2005

Figure 7

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 0%

5%

10%

15%

20% Percent of violent crime

Table 10. Violent crime against blacks/African Americans reported to police, by victim gender and age, 2001-2005

Percent of violent victimization

Victim characteristics Total Reported to police

Not reported to police

Gender Male 100% 46.8 53.2 Female 100% 63.2 36.8

Age 12-15 100% 33.3 66.7 16-19 100% 56.3 43.7 20-24 100% 52.7 47.3 25-34 100% 63.7 36.3 35-49 100% 64.6 35.4 50-64 100% 56.3 43.7 65 or older 100% 72.5 27.5*

Note: Excludes cases for which police reporting was unknown. *Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Table 11. Services received by black/African American victims of violent crime from nonpolice victim agencies, by type of crime, 2001-2005

Percent of violent victimization Rape/sexual assault

Assault Assistance received Robbery Aggravated Simple

Total 100% 100% 100% 100%

Received help 14.5* 9.2 13.6 6.0 Did not receive help 85.5 90.8 86.4 94.0

Note: Excludes data for which contact with nonpolice victim-assistance agencies was unknown. *Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Black Victims of Violent Crime 9

Methodology

Data sources

This report presents data on rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault against non-His- panic blacks age 12 or older as measured by the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The NCVS gathers data on crimes against persons age 12 or older, reported and not reported to the police, from a nationally representa- tive sample of U.S. households. The NCVS provides infor- mation about victims (age, gender, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, income, and educational level), offenders (gender, race, approximate age, and victim-offender rela- tionship) and the nature of the crime (time and place of occurrence, use of weapons, nature of injury, and eco- nomic consequences).

Homicide data are from the Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR) to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Between 1993 and 2005, about 2 million individuals age 12 or older were interviewed for the NCVS. For the overall population, for the years measured, response rates varied between 84% and 93% of eligible individuals. In 2005 about 134,000 persons were interviewed for the NCVS, of which about 14,000 were non-Hispanic blacks.

Classification by race and Hispanic origin

Because the racial categories were changed in 2003, cau- tion is warranted when examining race over time. Since 2003, two questions on the NCVS are asked to obtain infor- mation on the respondent's race and Hispanic origin: (1) whether they are of Hispanic origin and (2) which race or races they identify with. Respondents may chose white, black/African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and Other. Respondents who select Other are asked to specify their race. More than one race may be selected.

Prior to 2003, respondents were first asked to identify the racial group they identified with, including white, black, American Indian/Aleut/Eskimo, Asian/Pacific Islander, or Other. Respondents who selected Other were not able to specify a race. They were also not able to select more than one racial group. After the question on race, respondents were asked if they were of Hispanic origin.

When nonfatal violence was discussed in this report, black and black/African American refer to non-Hispanic persons who chose the black category prior to 2003 and the black/ African American category thereafter. Whites are non-His- panic persons who selected the white category. Hispanic and Hispanic/Latino categories refer to persons of any race. American Indians and American Indian/Alaska Natives are non-Hispanic persons who selected the Ameri- can Indian/Aleut/Eskimo category prior to 2003 or the American Indian/Alaska Native category since 2003. Asians refer to non-Hispanics persons who chose the Asian/Pacific Islander category prior to 2003 or the Asian or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander category since 2003.

In this report, for homicide data from the Supplementary Homicide Reports, black and white race categories include both Hispanic and non-Hispanic persons.

Standard error computations

Comparisons of percentages and rates made in this report were tested to determine if observed differences were sta- tistically significant. Differences described as higher, lower, or different passed a hypothesis test at the .05 level of sta- tistical significance (95% confidence level). The tested dif- ference was greater than twice the standard error of that difference. For comparisons that were statistically signifi- cant at the 0.10 level (90% confidence level), "somewhat," "slightly," or marginally" is used to note the nature of the dif- ference.

Significance testing calculations were conducted at the Bureau of Justice Statistics using statistical programs developed specifically for the NCVS by the U.S. Census Bureau. These programs take into consideration many aspects of the complex NCVS sample design when calculating estimates.

Estimates based on 10 or fewer sample cases have high relative standard errors. Care should be taken when comparing such estimates to other estimates when both are based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

10 Black Victims of Violent Crime

Appendix table 1. Violent victimization rate per 1,000 persons, by gender, age, and marital status, by race/Hispanic origin of victims, 2001-2005

Characteristic of victim

Black/African Americana Whitea

American Indian/ Alaska Nativea

Asian/Pacific Islandera

Hispanic/ Latino

Total 28.7 22.8 56.8 10.6 24.3

Gender Male 32.9 26.0 58.8 13.3 28.0 Female 25.2 19.8 55.2 8.1 20.5

Age 12-15 54.1 52.7 64.3b 15.3 41.0 16-19 65.4 55.6 99.0 26.1 39.7 20-24 48.5 51.1 122.3 19.5 35.8 25-34 29.4 28.1 44.4 12.9 24.5 35-49 19.5 20.4 57.3 7.0 17.0 50-64 14.8 11.0 31.8b 5.6 11.0 65 or older 4.0 2.5 --b 2.1b 4.5

Marital status Never married 42.9 44.7 84.7 17.8 36.4 Married 12.5 10.8 38.1 6.2 12.0 Widowed 6.5 5.3 49.2b 3.1b 9.3 Divorced or separated 28.1 37.6 37.7b 19.7 37.8

--Less than 0.05. aNot Hispanic or Latino. bBased on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Appendix table 2. Violent victimization rate per 1,000 persons, by annual household income, location of residence, and region, by race/Hispanic origin of victims, 2001-2005

Characteristic of victim

Black/African Americana Whitea

American Indian/ Alaska Nativea

Asian/Pacific Islandera

Hispanic/ Latino

Total 28.7 22.8 56.8 10.6 24.3

Annual household income Less than $7,500 45.1 50.2 77.3 17.0 33.0 $7,500 to $14,999 39.2 37.0 46.6 13.6b 25.1 $15,000 to $24,999 43.3 27.8 54.6 11.4 25.6 $25,000 to $34,999 29.1 26.0 65.7 17.2 27.0 $35,000 to $49,999 25.6 25.1 44.7b 10.1 22.4 $50,000 to $74,999 21.9 22.7 65.7 11.1 23.8 $75,000 or more 22.7 17.9 51.9b 8.4 24.0

Location of residence Urban 36.3 31.7 82.2 10.9 29.7 Suburban 23.6 20.5 62.6 10.4 19.5 Rural 13.2 20.1 37.0 11.3b 20.4

Region Northeast 30.3 18.0 76.4b 8.5 26.0 Midwest 42.6 23.6 34.9 10.6 25.4 South 22.0 20.6 67.8 13.1 23.1 West 37.0 30.7 65.9 10.6 24.6

aNot Hispanic or Latino. bBased on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Black Victims of Violent Crime 11

Appendix table 3. Serious violent victimization rate per 1,000 persons, by gender, age, annual household income, and location of residence, by race/Hispanic origin of victims, 2001-2005

Characteristic of victim

Black/African Americana Whitea

American Indian/ Alaska Nativea

Asian/Pacific Islandera

Hispanic/ Latino

Total 13.8 7.1 17.3 4.5 9.7

Gender Male 16.2 8.2 21.2 5.5 12.0 Female 11.8 6.0 14.1 3.5 7.4

Age 12-15 15.5 12.7 9.0b 3.4b 13.5 16-19 38.9 17.8 14.9b 10.4b 18.0 20-24 21.6 18.3 40.5b 9.2 14.8 25-34 16.4 8.9 10.9b 4.7 9.7 35-49 9.3 6.3 18.8b 3.5 6.9 50-64 7.7 3.1 20.8b 2.8b 4.5 65 and older 2.4 1.1 --b 1.6b 2.3b

Annual household income Less than $7,500 23.3 22.6 21.4b 5.7b 16.0 $7,500 to $14,999 19.6 13.0 26.3b 3.3b 11.7 $15,000 to $24,999 22.1 9.6 9.5b 4.2b 10.7 $25,000 to $34,999 14.0 7.9 35.7b 6.9b 9.5 $35,000 to $49,999 11.2 7.5 6.3b 5.4b 9.8 $50,000 to $74,999 10.7 6.4 6.8b 4.8 8.4 $75,000 or more 7.9 4.6 13.7b 3.9 9.3

Location of residence Urban 17.4 10.8 27.4 4.9 12.1 Suburban 11.2 6.2 16.7b 4.3 7.7 Rural 6.7 5.7 12.2b --b 7.3

Note: Serious violent victimization consists of rape/sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault and excludes simple assault. --Less than 0.05. aNot Hispanic or Latino. bBased on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Appendix table 4. Average annual number of violent victimizations against blacks/African Americans, by type of crime, 2001-2005

Type of crime Number of victim- izations

Homicide 7,750 Rape/sexual assault 47,250 Robbery 120,550 Aggravated assault 215,790 Simple assault 415,430

Appendix table 5. Percentage of nonfatal violent victimization against blacks/African Americans, by type of crime, 2001-2005 Type of crime Percent

Total 100% Rape/sexual assault 5.9 Robbery 15.1 Aggravated assault 27.0 Simple assault 52.0

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics

Washington, DC 20531

Official Business Penalty for Private Use $300

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DOJ/BJS Permit No. G-91

*NCJ~214258*

12 Black Victims of Violent Crime

This report in portable document format and in ASCII and its related statistical data and tables are available at the BJS World Wide Web Internet site: <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ abstract/bvvc.htm>.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. Jeffrey L. Sedgwick is director.

Erika Harrell, Ph.D., wrote this report, under the supervision of Michael R. Rand. Wendy Lin-Kelly, Cathy Maston and Patsy Klaus verified the report. Tina Dorsey and Carolyn C. Williams produced and edited the report, and Jayne Robinson prepared the report for final printing, under the supervision of Doris J. James.

August 2007, NCJ 214258

Office of Justice Programs

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