Crime and justice research Crime research

The research described in the Changing patterns in the age distribution of crime in Queensland report shows substantial changes in the age of offenders. When comparing 2008–09 with 2017–18:

• there were fewer offenders overall, committing more offences on average
• the decline in offenders was driven by a decrease in younger offenders, as older offender rates tended to increase
• changes in the age distribution of crime meant that young offenders (aged under 25 years) accounted for less crime in total than that in the past.

Learnings to inform the design and delivery of criminal justice programs are synthesised in the Wise practice for designing and implementing criminal justice programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples report. Four principles are discussed in relation to practice. These principles are:

• Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ownership, engagement and oversight.
• Value, respect and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authority and capacity.
• Commit to cultural competence.
• Provide culturally sensitive program delivery.

The Domestic and family violence calls for police service report discusses the increasing demand being placed on the Queensland Police Service in response to domestic and family violence (DFV) in the community. In 2017–18, compared with 2012–13:

• the number of calls for police service regarding DFV matters increased
• more police time was being spent on DFV matters per DFV incident
• higher growth in recorded DFV incidents was seen in the most socially and economically disadvantaged locations than that observed in the most socially and economically advantaged locations.

The Youth offending research brief outlines some of the reasons why children are treated differently to adults by the criminal justice system. The findings discussed in the brief show that:

• childhood and adolescence are periods when offending tends to escalate
• children have less mature psychological and cognitive systems when compared with adults
• children in contact with the criminal justice system tend to present with more risk factors associated with offending behaviour than adults in contact with the system.

The COVID-19 and illicit drug offence trends, March to June 2020 research brief explores illicit drug offence trends occurring after the introduction COVID-19 containment measures. Analyses presented in the brief show that:

• while most types of crime decreased, the rate of illicit drug offences increased between March and June 2020
• increases in illicit drug offences were largely driven by growth in minor illicit drug offending 
• the magnitude of growth varied across different demographic groups and locations.

Analyses presented in the Spatial and temporal distribution of reported offences in Queensland report highlight the importance of place–based criminal justice initiatives. They showed that:

• crime rates vary across location and time, but some locations consistently experienced either growing or declining crime rates between 2008–09 and 2017–18
• with the exception of drug offences, crime has become slightly less concentrated in terms of geographical distribution
• the share of crime experienced by socially and economically disadvantaged locations has increased slightly.

The Factors associated with the outcomes of community–based corrections orders summary report presents key findings from research examining community–based corrections orders in Queensland. The research showed that while there was variability in order completion across the different types of orders, overall, most orders were completed and there have been slight increases in order completion rates in recent years.

The Crime research agenda sets out the crime research priority areas of the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. The agenda was developed through consultation with key stakeholders and advice from the Crime Research Reference Committee which includes representation from criminal justice agencies, academics and other government agencies.