Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 2015

• NCJ Number: 249758
• Author(s): Anlan Zhang; Lauren Musu-Gillette; Barbara A. Oudekerk
• Date Published: May 2016
• Length: 246 pages
• Agencies: BJS
• Publication Type: Survey; Statistics; Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored)

Annotation

Using a variety of data sources, this report presents the most recent data available on school crime and student safety.

Abstract

Presents data on crime and safety at school from the perspectives of students, teachers, and principals. This annual report, a joint effort by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), provides the most current statistical information on the nature of crime in schools. This report contains 23 indicators of crime and safety at school from a number of sources, including the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), the School Crime Supplement to the NCVS, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the School Survey on Crime and Safety, and the School and Staffing Survey. Topics covered include victimization at school, teacher injury, bullying and cyber-bullying, school conditions, fights, weapons, availability and student use of drugs and alcohol, student perceptions of personal safety at school, and crime at postsecondary institutions. 

• In 2014, among students ages 12–18, there were about 850,100 nonfatal victimizations at school, which included 363,700 theft victimizations and 486,400 violent victimizations (simple assault and serious violent victimizations).
• In 2014, students ages 12–18 experienced 33 nonfatal victimizations per 1,000 students at school and 24 per 1,000 students away from school.
• Between 1992 and 2014, the total victimization rate at school declined 82 percent, from 181 victimizations per 1,000 students in 1992 to 33 victimizations per 1,000 students in 2014. The total victimization rate away from school declined 86 percent, from 173 victimizations per 1,000 students in 1992 to 24 victimizations per 1,000 students in 2014.
• In 2014, students residing in rural areas had higher rates of total victimization at school (53  victimizations per 1,000 students) than students residing in suburban areas (28 victimizations per 1,000 students).