Attrition of stalking offence incidents through the Victorian criminal justice system

This data snapshot paper examines how many stalking incidents progress through the justice system to be proven in court. It examines the characteristics of stalking incidents and identifies the most common points that incidents 'exit' the justice system. The snapshot considers all stalking incidents recorded by police between January 2016 and December 2018.

Key findings included:

  • One in three (31%) stalking offence incidents reported to police was ultimately proven in court.
  • Attrition was relatively stable during the police investigation stages of the justice system process: Police formally identified and recorded an offender for 82% of the incidents, and charged 81% of those offenders.
  • Ninety-five percent of incidents where charges were laid by police were finalised in court
  • Half (49%) of incident matters finalised in court had a proven outcome for a stalking charge, and a further 42% had a proven charge for a non-stalking charge in the same case.
  • Two percent of incidents resulted in victim survivors withdrawing their complaint during the police investigation stage.
  • Family violence-related incidents and incidents that involved other, non-stalking offences were more likely to progress through the justice system.
Attrition of stalking incidents
Author
Crime Statistics Agency, 2022
Publisher
Crime Statistics Agency, 2022
Date of Publication

 

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