Violent Crime

Violent Crime in California

California

Families, neighborhoods and communities are all affected when violent crime occurs. Violent crimes cause social and emotional harm as well as physical injury and can lead to disability, premature death, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. High rates of violent crime are associated with less physical activity. When personal safety is threatened, individuals are less likely to choose to walk or bike to their destination, regardless of neighborhood income levels.

Rates of gender-based violence have risen over the years. One in 4 women and 1 in 10 men report having been impacted by sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner. Gender-based violence also contributes to increased costs to the economy, including costs related to health care, criminal justice and lost productivity. 

Violent crimes place a financial burden on hospitals and health care systems. A 2010 study estimated the overall economic burden of violent crime at approximately $65 billion in lost productivity and $6 billion in direct medical costs. For victims of violent crime, the toll is even higher, averaging $450 billion annually. Researchers estimate the following per-offense total costs: $9 million per homicide, $241,000 per rape/sexual assault, $107,000 per aggravated assault and $42,000 per robbery (in 2008 dollars).

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, populations that experienced higher rates of violent crime victimization (excluding homicide) in 2020 include:

• People ages 12 and older of other minority races, including American Indian/Alaska Native and multiracial persons.  
• Those ages 18-34 compared with other age groups; adults ages 65 and older had the lowest rate.
• Those with a marital status of separated; widowed persons had the lowest rate.

Violence prevention has been a priority among health officials for decades, over which time a number of intervention programs have been developed. Strategies to address violent crime may require a thorough investigation of its root causes to determine the best route of intervention. Resources include: 

• The National Institute of Justice’s database of evidence-based programs and practices for violent crime prevention. 
• The Community Guide, which evaluates interventions and recommends those with demonstrated effectiveness in violence prevention, particularly for children and youth. 
• Cure Violence, which applies an epidemiological approach of disease outbreaks to violence and has proven effective in several communities.

Healthy People 2030 has several goals related to the prevention of violent crime, including:

• Reducing the rate of minors and young adults who commit violent crimes.
• Reducing the rate of adolescents and young adults who are victims of violent crimes.
• Reducing the number of homicides per 100,000 population.

Corso, Phaedra S., James A. Mercy, Thomas R. Simon, Eric A. Finkelstein, and Ted R. Miller. “Medical Costs and Productivity Losses Due to Interpersonal and Self-Directed Violence in the United States.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 32, no. 6 (June 1, 2007): 474-482.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2007.02.010.

Dahlberg, Linda L., and James A. Mercy. “The History of Violence as a Public Health Issue.” Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/24078.

Janke, Katharina, Carol Propper, and Michael A. Shields. “Assaults, Murders and Walkers: The Impact of Violent Crime on Physical Activity.” Journal of Health Economics 47 (May 2016): 34–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2016.01.006.

Langton, Lynn, and Jennifer Truman. “Socio-Emotional Impact of Violent Crime.” Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, September 2014. https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/sivc.pdf.

McCollister, Kathryn E., Michael T. French, and Hai Fang. “The Cost of Crime to Society: New Crime-Specific Estimates for Policy and Program Evaluation.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 108, no. 1 (April 1, 2010): 98–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.12.002.

Morgan, Rachel E., and Alexandra Thompson. “Criminal Victimization, 2020 – Supplemental Statistical Tables.” Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, February 2022. https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv20sst.pdf.

White House Gender Policy Council. “National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality.” Washington, D.C.: White House, March 2021. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/National-Strategy-on-Gender-Equity-and-Equality.pdf.