Simon Corbell MLA ATTORNEY-GENERAL MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MINISTER FOR POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES MINISTER FOR WORKPLACE SAFETY AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS MEMBER FOR MOLONGLO

MEDIA

RELEASE

CRIME DOWN ACROSS THE TERRITORY There continues to be a downward trend in crime across the Territory, Attorney-General, Simon Corbell, announced today as he tabled the September 2013 Criminal Justice Statistical Profile in the Legislative Assembly. “In the year to September 2013, robbery offences have decreased by 37%, motor vehicle theft has decreased by 32%, burglary and weapons offences have both decreased by 16%, sexual assault has decreased by 15%, and assault and public order offences have both decreased by 8%,” Mr Corbell said. “The profile’s additional data and new format facilitates greater transparency of the ACT criminal justice system, and is the only quarterly publication in Australia that presents the diverse whole of justice system data. The 2013 Review of the Criminal Justice Statistical Profile Report recommended providing more criminal justice data, more analysis on the data set, and improvements to format and presentation. The new profile includes 24 new tables and 27 revised tables. “New data on victims of crime fulfils a need to have more frequent and current data available. The inclusion of quarterly victims of crime data will provide more information about ACT victims and how to respond to their needs. While most results trend positively downward, the government recognises that crime rises and falls. Currently there is a 15% decrease, year on year, in sexual assault offences (372 offences in the year to September 2013 compared to 437 offences in year to September 2012). In contrast, there has been a 12% increase in sexual assaults over the longer, five year period. “To tackle this serious issue, the government’s Sexual Assault Reform Program continues to work with government and non-government agencies to improve the services provided to victims,” Mr Corbell said. Statement Ends: Tuesday, 29th October 2013 Media Contacts: Alexandra Cassie 6205 0434 (w) 0481 004 015 (m) [email protected]

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