CTV.ca News Staff
The national homicide rate dropped to its lowest level in over three
decades last year, and is about one-third the rate in the United
States, says Statistics Canada. The homicide rate, which has been
dropping since the mid-1970s, was 1.73 victims per 100,000 people in
2003, StatsCan reported Wednesday. Police reported 548 homicides in
2003, 34 fewer than in 2002.
The decline was related in part to the drop in the number of females
killed (50 fewer than in 2002). In contrast, 16 more men were killed.
Internationally, Canada has a lower homicide rate than the United
States (5.69) and England and Wales (1.93). The rate is slightly
higher than France (1.65) and Australia (1.63).
Across Canada
The lower homicide rate was attributed to 33 fewer homicides in
British Columbia, 18 less in Quebec and seven less in Alberta. "Both
Quebec and Nova Scotia reported their lowest homicide rates since the
1960s," StatsCan said. In contrast, there were 14 more homicides in
Saskatchewan and seven more in Manitoba. One in seven homicides in
2003 was related to organized crime or street gangs. Most of these
type of killings occurred in Ontario, and most involved young adults.
Knowing the victim In 2003, most homicides were committed with a
handgun, and the majority of the victims knew their killers. "Half (51
per cent) of all victims were killed by an acquaintance, and one third
(34 per cent) by a family member," said StatsCan. In contrast, the
number of people killed by strangers hit its lowest level in more than
25 years. Specifically, 57 victims in 2003 were killed by a stranger
(14 per cent).
The spousal homicide rate also went down in 2003 by eight per cent,
with six fewer spouses killed.' "This rate has been gradually
declining since the mid-1970s for both men and women."
Other findings:
* Of the 78 spousal homicides, 64 women killed their wives and 14
women killed their husbands
* Homicides committed by boyfriends, girlfriends and current or
estranged partners dropped to 11 in 2003, from 17 in 2002
* Men accounted for 72 per cent of all victims in 2003
* Handguns were used in two-thirds of all homicides in 2003, and 59
per cent of gang-related killings
* Rifles/shotguns accounted for 20 per cent of all firearms homicides
* Two out of every three adults accused of homicide in 2003 had a
criminal record
* Thirty-three homicides were committed against children under the age
of 12 in 2003 -- the lowest number in more than 25 years
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