In Canada, the Criminal Code defines youth as being between 12 and 17 years old.[1] Common criminal offences committed by youth include theft, mischief, assault, and cannabis possession.[2] There are many factors that correlate with an increase in youth crime such as low family income, child physical abuse, physical and mental challenges, family violence, addictions, and high crime neighbourhoods.[3] This indicator examines youth who are alleged to have committed criminal offences.
Rate of youth charged by police detachment |
About the MeasureThese rates include all crimes alleged to have been committed by youth, aged 12 to 17, reported to police, expressed per 100,000. The rate of youth charged includes those who are charged based on a police decision. Key FindingsIn 2017, there was considerable variation between police detachments in rates of youth charged with a crime. Data for the previous 5 years can be found in the downloadable Excel file at the bottom of this page.
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Source: Statistics Canada. Table: 35-10-0180-01 (formerly CANSIM 252-0077) - Incident-based crime statistics, by detailed violations, police services in Ontario (database). (Accessed: October 1, 2018).
Limitations The youth crime rate data from the police represents only those youth who were caught by law enforcement. Youth who committed a crime, but who were not caught are not represented in this data. The youth crime rate excludes Criminal Code traffic violations, as well as other federal statute violations such as drug offences.
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Rate of youth not charged by police detachment |
About the MeasureThese rates include all crimes alleged to have been committed by youth, aged 12 to 17, reported to police, expressed per 100,000. The rate of youth not charged includes (1) a referral for the decision to a chosen authority and (2) all cases where the police exercise discretion and decide not to charge. Key FindingsIn 2017, there was considerable variation between police detachments in the rate of youth not charged. Data for the previous 5 years can be found in the downloadable Excel file at the bottom of this page.
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Source: Statistics Canada. Table: 35-10-0180-01 (formerly CANSIM 252-0077) - Incident-based crime statistics, by detailed violations, police services in Ontario (database). (Accessed: October 1, 2018).
LimitationsThe youth crime rate data from the police represents only those youth who were caught by law enforcement. Youth who committed a crime, but who were not caught are not represented in this data. The youth crime rate excludes Criminal Code traffic violations, as well as other federal statute violations such as drug offences.
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[1] Government of Canada. (2016). The youth criminal justice act summary and background. Ottawa, ON: Department of Justice. Available at: http://justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/yj-jj/tools-outils/back-hist.html
[2] Allen, M.K., & Superle, T. (2016). Youth crime in Canada, 2014. Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada. Available at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2016001/article/14309-eng.htm
[3] Murray, J., & Farrington, D. P. (2010). Risk factors for conduct disorder and delinquency: key findings from longitudinal studies. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(10), 633-642.