A report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) shows trends in nonfatal violent victimization rates among juveniles in the United States are returning to normal.
The report indicates that these rates have returned to levels similar to those observed before the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a notable shift in post-pandemic crime patterns.
According to the BJS report, the rate of nonfatal violent victimization for individuals aged 12 to 17 was higher in 2022 compared to the previous year, with 27.4 incidents per 1,000 juveniles. This rate is notably higher than the 2021 rate of 13.2 per 1,000 juveniles but not statistically different from the 2018 rate of 34.2 per 1,000.
Dr. Kevin M. Scott, PhD, acting director of the BJS, commented on these findings, noting that the increase in nonfatal violent victimizations reflects a return to pre-pandemic levels across all age groups, rather than a new upward trend in juvenile victimization.
“The 2022 increase in nonfatal violent victimizations — among juveniles and adults — largely reflects a return to prepandemic levels,” said Dr. Scott.
The rate of nonfatal violent victimization (which includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault) of persons ages 12 to 17 declined 85% in the 30 years from 1993 (184.8 per 1,000) to 2022 (27.4 per 1,000), based on BJS’s National Crime Victimization Survey.
An estimated 710 persons age 11 or younger and 1,410 persons ages 12 to 17 were victims of homicide in 2022, according to the FBI’s Supplementary Homicide Reports.
In 2022, the homicide rate was higher for persons age 18 or older (7.5 per 100,000) than for persons ages 12 to 17 (5.4 per 100,000) and persons age 11 or younger (1.4 per 100,000).
“Unlike the nonfatal violent victimization rate, the homicide rate among persons ages 12 to 17 increased during the more recent five-year period, from 2.9 per 100,000 in 2018 to 5.4 per 100,000 in 2022,” said Dr. Scott.
The BJS report also highlights a long-term decline in nonfatal violent victimization rates among juveniles over the past three decades. From 1993 to 2022, the rate dropped by 85%, showcasing significant progress in reducing violent victimization among young people.
However, the report notes a contrasting trend in homicide rates among juveniles. While the homicide rate among individuals aged 12 to 17 remains lower than that of adults, it has experienced an increase from 2.9 per 100,000 in 2018 to 5.4 per 100,000 in 2022. This rise in homicide rates among juveniles during recent years presents a complex picture alongside the overall decline in nonfatal violent victimization.
The report also examines the age distribution of offenders in nonfatal violent incidents. It reveals that less than 10% of these incidents involved perpetrators perceived to be between 12 and 17 years old, indicating a broader demographic landscape of violence beyond juvenile offenders.
Furthermore, the report highlights an increase in juvenile involvement in arrests for violent crimes in 2022. Juveniles accounted for 9.9% of all arrests for violent crime, up from 8.7% in 2021. A similar trend was observed in arrests for property crimes, where the percentage of juvenile offenders increased from 8.1% in 2021 to 9.3% in 2022.
Overall, the BJS report provides a comprehensive overview of nonfatal violent victimization rates among juveniles, highlighting both positive long-term trends and recent shifts in post-pandemic crime patterns.