Criminal victimisation

Sex differences

The overall rate of criminal victimisation did not vary significantly by sex in 2005.

However, there were some differences in the type of crime experienced by men and women.  Women were around twice as likely to be victims of sexual offences as men, and young women aged 15 to 24 were more likely than older women to be victims of sexual offences (12 percent of women aged 15 to 24 had been victims of at least one sexual offence in 2005, compared with 4 percent of women overall). 

Criminal victimisation prevalence rate (%), by age and sex, 2005
  Proportion (%) of population
who were victims of crime
Age (years) Males Females
15 to 24 53 56
25 to 39 44 47
40 to 59 36 37
60 + 21 19
Total 39 39

Source: The New Zealand Crime and Safety Survey 2006.