NCJ Number
190162
Date Published
June 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the similarities and differences between homicides committed by indigenous people and those committed by nonindigenous people in Australia over an 11-year period (1989-2000).
Abstract
Data were obtained from the National Homicide Monitoring Program at the Australian Institute of Criminology. Established in 1990, this program routinely collects data on some 77 variables that relate to each incident of homicide that comes to police attention in Australia, including data on the victim and the offender. These data come from police and coroner records across Australia. A total of 3,450 homicide incidents were recorded for the period July 1, 1989, to June 30, 2000, which involved 3,723 victims and 3,783 offenders. During this period, indigenous persons accounted for 15.1 percent of all homicide victims and 15.7 percent of all homicide offenders. Indigenous Australians compose only about 2 percent of the Australian population. The comparative analysis found that indigenous homicides are qualitatively different from non-indigenous homicides in Australia. Indigenous homicides were found to occur predominantly within the family environment, with a high proportion of female involvement as either victims or offenders. Many of the incidents resulted from some form of domestic altercation. Another feature of indigenous homicides was the presence of alcohol. Just over four out of five indigenous homicides involved either the victim or offender, or both, drinking at the time of the incident. This paper outlines some strategies in the areas of health, housing, education, and employment that could reduce the homicide rate in indigenous communities and families. 3 figures, 1 table, 4 notes, and 22 references