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Release date: Thursday 12 December 2024
Link to report summary: Trends in female offending in New South Wales: 2014 to 2023
New research by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows that the number of females criminally proceeded against by the NSW Police Force has grown significantly over the last decade. However, according to BOCSAR Executive Director, Jackie Fitzgerald, the increase could be due to tougher enforcement of domestic and family violence rather than increased crime.
The number of females criminally proceeded against by NSW Police increased by 40 per cent over the 10 years to 2023. Over the same period, male offenders proceeded against rose by just 17 per cent.
The five offences with the largest increases in female legal actions over the last decade by volume were:
Legal actions against young females aged 10 to 17 years also grew by 20% in the decade to 2023, while legal actions against young males remained stable. The key offences driving the growth in young female offenders were similar to those contributing to the growth in female offending overall.
Despite the long-term increase in police legal actions against female offenders, offenders are still overwhelmingly male. In 2023, females comprised 22% of the offender cohort, up from 19% in 2014. Commenting on these findings, Jackie Fitzgerald, Executive Director of BOCSAR, said the increase in females criminally proceeded against by police does not necessarily signify a rise in female crime. “Over the last decade, police in NSW have had a strong focus on domestic and family violence, and legal action rates have risen accordingly. We can see that many of the offences driving the increase in female legal actions are associated with domestic violence enforcement. It is likely that a sizeable proportion of the increase is due to this tougher enforcement policy rather than more females engaging in violence.”
For comment please contact:
Jackie Fitzgerald, Executive Director, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research.
Phone: +61 423 139 687
Email: jackie.fitzgerald@dcj.nsw.gov.au - external site
11 Dec 2024