Homicide rate remains at historic low

The latest Australian Institute of Criminology report on homicide offences reveals that “Since 2001–02, there has been a downward trend in the homicide rate, decreasing from 1.8 per 100,000 to 1.1 in the 2010–11 and 2011–12 financial years.” Victoria had the lowest rate of any jurisdiction in recent years, with less than 1 homicide per 100,000 people. The report provides a detailed statistical breakdown of all homicides (defined as “murder and manslaughter, excluding driving causing death”) in Australia, according to location, cause of death, motive, characteristics of offenders and victims, and even time of day—Sunday evening is the most dangerous time of the week.