Australians top the world when it comes to crime

"AUSTRALIANS are more likely than those in any other developed country to find themselves the victim of a serious crime, including that of a sexual nature, an international report has found.

"The OECD, in its annual report comparing the group's members on a range of issues, found Australia had the highest rate of victimisation. Between 1990 and the time of the study, the number of victims of crime had increased in Australia, it said.

"Of the OECD's member nations, Australia had the highest proportion of victims of assaults, threats and crimes of a sexual nature, the second highest proportion of burglaries, and high rates of robberies, car thefts and thefts from cars. New Zealand had the second highest proportion of victims.

"The US, which recorded a fall in victimisation rates, was mid-range.

"The international comparisons were better for Australia when it came to quality of life, with low rates of infant mortality. Its rates of life expectancy were among the highest ..."
Sydney Morning Herald

Tagged: australia, crime