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Bureau of Justice Statistics releases “Criminal Victimization, 2022”

By Douglas Berman

As discussed in this press release, the Bureau of Justice Statistics this morning released a new report titled “Criminal Victimization, 2022.” This full report runs 34 pages and here is how it starts and the listed “highlights” listed on the first page:

The rate of violent victimization in the United States rose to 23.5 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older in 2022, after reaching a 30-year low of 16.4–16.5 during 2020–2021. Violent victimization includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. Despite the recent increase, the last three decades saw an overall decline in the violent victimization rate from 79.8 to 23.5 per 1,000 from 1993 to 2022.

The rate of violent victimization reported to police followed a similar pattern. This rate trended downward during the past 30 years, falling from 33.8 (1993) to 9.7 (2022) reported victimizations per 1,000 persons. However, 2022 (9.7 per 1,000) marked a rise in the rate of reported violent victimization from 2021 (7.5 per 1,000).

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The violent victimization rate increased from 16.5 victimizations per 1,000 persons in 2021 to 23.5 per 1,000 in 2022.
  • From 1993 to 2022, the overall rate of violent victimization declined from 79.8 to 23.5 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older.
  • In 2022, about 2 in 5 (42%) violent victimizations were reported to police.
  • Motor vehicle theft victimization increased from a rate of 4.3 victimizations per 1,000 households in 2021 to 5.5 per 1,000 in 2022.
  • About 10% of violent victimizations involved a firearm in 2022, an increase from 2021 (7%).
  • Victims received assistance from a victim service provider in 9% of violent victimizations in 2022.
  • In 2022, about 1.24% (3.5 million) of persons age 12 or older nationwide experienced at least one violent crime.
  • The burglary or trespassing rate was lower in 2022 (14.6 victimizations per 1,000 households) than in 2018 (21.1 per 1,000) but has been relatively flat since 2020.