Summary

Certain individuals are more vulnerable to violent victimization. In 2004, 5% of the Canadian population aged 15 and over reported having been the victim of a violent incident, but one third of these had been victims more than once. However, no factors seem to explain why certain individuals are more likely than others to be victims multiple times rather than only once.

Certain households possess characteristics that make them vulnerable to victimization. In contrast to violent victimization, certain characteristics can increase the risk of a household being victimized multiple times rather than once. Households with incomes below $50,000 living in semi-detached or duplex, residing in neighbourhoods where the percentage of persons living in low-income families was higher or living in the Prairies were more likely, if victimized, to be victimized several times.

The impacts on individuals who reported being victims of multiple crimes during the 12 months prior to the General Social Survey (GSS) were numerous. Compared to victims of one crime incident, those that experienced multiple crimes were less satisfied with their personal safety and thought that the crime rate in their neighbourhood was higher than in other neighbourhoods. They were also more likely to use crime prevention measures.