Visible Minorities and Victimization

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by Samuel Perreault, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada

Preface

This series of profiles provides analysis on a variety of topics and issues concerning victimization, offending and public perceptions of crime and the justice system. The profiles primarily draw on results from the General Social Survey on victimization. Where applicable, they also incorporate information from other data sources, such as the Census of Population and the Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey.

Examples of the topics explored through this series include: Victimization and offending in Canada's territories, Canadians' use of crime prevention measures and Victimization of older Canadians. This is a unique periodical, of great interest to those who plan, establish, administer and evaluate justice programs and projects, or anyone who has an interest in Canada's justice system.

Introduction

According to the 2001 Census, 4 million Canadians reported that they were visible minorities, representing 13.4% of the total population. This compares to only 4.7% of the population in 1981. According to the most recent population projections, high immigration levels and high fertility rates will result in the population of visible minorities in Canada reaching between 6.3 million and 8.5 million by 2017 (Bélanger, Caron-Malenfant, 2005).

Using data from the 2001 Census of Population and self-reported data from the 2004 General Social Survey (GSS) on victimization, this profile examines certain socio-demographic and economic characteristics of visible minorities in Canada followed by an analysis of the rates and characteristics of violent crimes involving visible minority victims. It also provides information on visible minorities' perceptions of safety and of the criminal justice system.