4519.0 - Recorded Crime - Offenders, 2015-16  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 08/02/2017   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All
MEDIA RELEASE
8 February 2017
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
11/2017

Theft and drugs behind rise in female offenders

The number of female offenders increased by 5 per cent (4,957 offenders) in 2015–16, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

ABS Director of Crime and Justice Statistics, William Milne, said that by contrast, male offenders increased by only 49 offenders, or less than 1 per cent.

"Theft was the most prevalent principal offence for females, while the largest increases in female offender numbers were for Theft (up 12 per cent), Illicit drug offences (up 8 per cent) and Acts intended to cause injury (up 6 per cent)," said Mr Milne.

"The number of female offenders proceeded against for Illicit drug offences has almost doubled since the beginning of the time series in 2008–09."

Despite the increase in female offenders in 2015–16, there were more than three times as many male offenders (323,949) as females (97,304).

This publication also contains the second release of experimental statistics about offenders of Family and Domestic Violence related offences. Details of the background information, methodology and key findings can be found in the chapter ‘Experimental Family and Domestic Violence Statistics’.

Further information can be found in Recorded Crime – Offenders, Australia 2015-16 (cat. no. 4519.0), available for free download from the ABS website: https://www.abs.gov.au/.

Media notes:

  • When reporting ABS data, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) must be attributed as the source.
  • For media requests and interviews, contact the ABS Communications Section on 1300 175 070 (8.30am - 5pm Mon-Fri).
  • Subscribe to our email notification service and get media releases or products sent to you on release.