The document discusses crime and violence in Canada. It defines different types of crimes such as property crimes, violent crimes, victimless crimes, and computer crimes. It provides statistics on crime in Canada, noting that reported criminal incidents decreased from 2011 to 2012, largely due to reductions in non-violent crimes. The document also discusses youth crime statistics and notes that nearly 40,000 cases were completed in Canadian youth courts in 2013/2014, which was 12% lower than the previous year. Common youth crimes are discussed as well as the benefits of diversion programs for first-time youth offenders.

1. B Y R A C H E L M A R C H I L D O N
C H I L D & Y O U T H W O R K E R
" C R I M E I S O N E O F T H E M O S T P R O M I N E N T
" S O C I A L P R O B L E M S " I N C A N A D I A N L I F E " .
( J A C K S O N , 1 9 9 5 . P . 6 2 ) .
Problems of Well-Being:
Crime & Violence

2. What is a crime?
 A crime is the violation of norms that are written
into the law (Holmes, 2016. p.107).
 We categorize crime under:
- Property Crime
- Violent Crime
- Victimless Crime
- Cooperate Crime
- Computer Crime

3. Property Crime Violent Crime
 A property crime is when
an individual damages or
steals somebody else’s
property.
 Vandalism, motor vehicle
theft, shoplifting, and
arson are some examples
of property crimes.
 A violent crime occurs
when someone harms,
attempts to harm,
threatens to harm or even
conspires to harm someone
else. Violent crimes are
offenses which involve
force or threat of force,
such as rape, robbery or
homicide. (Montaldo,
2015). As well as murder.

4. Victimless Crimes Cooperate Crimes
 Vice crimes are
considered to have no
victim apart in the illegal
activity.
 Examples of this can vary
from drugs charges to
gambling.
 Occupational crime,
where individuals
commit crimes in the
course of their
employment, and
criminal business
practices (Holmes, 2016.
p. 124).
 An example of this would
be fraud.

5. Computer Crime
 Any illegal activity that is committed
while using a computer.
 Identity theft, and hacking are some
examples of computer crimes.

6. Crime and Violence looks like this…

7. Canadian Crime Statistics
 2 million criminal incidences were reported to
Canadian Police Services in the year of 2012.
 In 2011, there were 36,000 more incidences reported
than 2012.
 Why?
Due to the decrease in non-violent crimes such as;
mischief, break-ins, disturbing the peace, possession
of property and theft of a motor vehicle.

8. Youth & Crime
 Nearly 40,000 cases were completed in Canadian
Youth Court in 2013/2014. (Statistics Canada, 2015).
 This number is 12% lower than the previous year.
 Also, the lowest number of cases calculated in youth
courts since the data began 20+ years ago!
What an improvement.. But still much more room
for improvement!

9. Youth & Crime Cont’d
 The most common youth crimes consist of:
▪ Mischief
▪ Theft Under $5,000
▪ Common Assault
▪ Failure to Comply with an Order
(Statistics Canada, 2015).

10. Did you know...
 62% of accused youth in 2013/2014 were of the ages of
16/17.
 Males made up 78% of the overall accused in youth
courts.
 The court process for a youth on average lasts for four
months.
(Statistics Canada, 2015).

11. Why is criminal activity more prevalent amongst
individuals who have yet to reach middle age?
 Younger individuals are more likely to be working
lower wage jobs, or be unemployed.
 The desire for goods and opportunities' is still out of
their grasp!
(Holmes, 2015. p. 128/129)

12.  When youth are found guilty; custodial sentences,
community service and/or probation is what they are
allotted.
 Diversion is another option that the Judge may
propose; and the best strategy in my opinion!
(Statistics Canada, 2015).

13. What is a Diversion Program?
 A program where youth ages 12-17 are given the
opportunities' to perform specific sanctions, attend
meetings and meet all deadlines in order to have their
charge dismissed/withdrawn.
 Diversion programs are only offered to first time, minor,
nonviolent offences such as:
▪ Theft Under $5,000
▪ Mischief
▪ Possession of a Controlled Substance
▪ Attendance Acts
▪ Trespass at Night
▪ Minor Assaults

14.  This program can be referred to a youth by either the
Court, or the Arresting Officer.
 Diversion Programs have been created to keep
smaller, nonviolent crimes out of the Court system.
Also, to give first time offenders a second chance at
keeping their record clean of any criminal history.

15. Why is Diversion beneficial to our youth?
 Diversion gives children and youth a second chance.
 Many commit the crime and immediately are
regretful and remorseful.
 Many children and youth who commit minor crimes
also have more going on with themselves than what
appears at the surface (i.e. Abuse at home,
relationship issues, struggling with school, possible
mental health).
 You must remember that Diversion is given to the
children and youth who NEED it. It is to help
BENEFIT them, in hopes that they will not reoffend.

16.  "The literature is pretty consistent that you're better
off diverting the less serious offenders out of the
juvenile justice system, and if possible, hooking
them up with services," says Medical University of
South Carolina psychologist Scott Henggeler, PhD”.
(DenAngelis, 2011).

17. Conflict Perspective
 “Social inequality may lead individuals to commit
crimes such as armed robbery and burglary as a
means of economic survival. Other individuals who
are angry and frustrated by their low position in
the socio-econimic hierarchy, may express their
rage and frustration through crimes, such as drug-
use, assault and homicide”. (Holmes, 2016. p. 115).

18. Conflict Perspective
 We can look at social inequality when it comes to
males and females, but we can also look at it when it
comes to Youth vs. Adults.
 Youth are categorized as “lazy, deviant, disrespectful
and selfish”.
 Some youth may very well fit that category, but not
all youth – and when we look at youth that way, how
do we build on their strengths and empower them?
We don’t. They begin feeling hopeless and worthless,
and another reason why youth commit crimes!

19. References
 DeAngelis, T. (2011). Better Options for Troubled Teens. American
Psychological Association. Retrieved From:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/troubled-teens.aspx
 Holmes, M., Mooney, L., Knox, D., & Schacht, C. (2016). Understanding social
problems (5th Canadian ed.). Toronto: Nelson Education Ltd.
 Jackson, M., Griffiths, C. (1995). Canadian Criminology, Perspectives on Crime
and Criminality. Canada. Harourt Brace & Company.
 Montaldo, Charles. (2015). What is a Crime? About News. Retrieved from:
http://crime.about.com/od/Crime_101/a/What-Is-A-Crime.htm
 Statistics Canada. (2015). Youth and Crime, 2013/2014. Retrieved from:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/150928/dq150928b-eng.htm
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