NCJ Number
178753
Date Published
1999
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This information bulletin discusses the meaning, extent and characteristics of home invasion in South Australia.
Abstract
While the term “home invasion” has become common in recent years, it has no legal meaning. References to home invasion range from the general (any incident where a person is at home when another person enters unlawfully) to the highly specific (armed robbery in the home, with intent to confront the home owner). The report discusses the meaning of home invasion from the perspective of police, victims and the media. It also examines the extent of home invasion and how different definitions affect overall numbers and describes the characteristics of home invasions, including the age and sex of victims. According to official crime statistics, there were 157 probable home invasion incidents during 1998 and a further 119 that could have involved home invasion. The 25- to 34-year-old group had a greater risk of home invasion compared with persons aged 60 or older. There were some indications that the number of potential home invasions was increasing. However, this perception could have been merely a reflection of more media publicity for such incidents. Tables, figures