Violent Crime in America

For families and individuals residing in America the threat of violent crime is a fear that we all have to live with. Just pick up your local newspaper or turn on your T.V. and see the headlines of murder, rape and assaults reported from coast to coast. There is an answer to the realization that you may be a victim of a violent crime, and that is to be prepared to defend yourself should you find yourself in a situation that warrants it.

A crime of violence or violent crime is a crime in which the attacker or offender uses or threatens to use violence or violent force against the victim. These include crimes in which the violent act is the objective of the attack, such as murder, along with crimes in which violence is the means to an end, such as robbery. Males are the primary victims of crimes of violence, with the exception of rape which accounts for 6 percent of all violent crimes.

There are four offenses that are considered to be violent crimes; they are murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. These violent crimes may also involve the use of force or the threat of force.

In 2004, there were an estimated 1,367,009 violent crimes reported in the United States. Of these, aggravated assaults comprised over 62 percent of all reported crimes, robbery over 29 percent, forcible rape or sexual assault over 6 percent, and murder comprises a little over 1 percent of all reported violent crimes.

Here are a few alarming statistics about Violent Crime in the U.S.

1. Over 94,000 forcible rapes were reported in 2004 an increase of 4.9 percent since the year 2000. Approximately 6 out of 100 females in the United States will be a victim of forcible rape.

2. Over 16,000 murders were reported in 2004 an increase of 3.5 percent since 2000, but showed a decline in the number of murders reported in 2003.

3. There were over 850,000 aggravated assaults reported in the United States in 2004. This crime usually has the highest percentage of incidents reported each year. But research has shown a steady decrease in aggravated assault occurrences for the last 11 years. 4. In 2004 there were over 400,000 robberies reported in the USA, robbery is defined by the Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) as the taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and by putting the victim in fear.

Now that you are aware of these statistics, and the need for people in America to have the ability to protect themselves from violent crimes, or if you are concerned about your personal safety or the safety of your family, then stay alert and be prepared and visit us at http://www.safeselfdefense.com for all of you personal protection needs.

Fight Back Dont Be A Victim!

Sheri Gray is webmaster for J & S Enterprises your online source for high quality personal self-defense products. J & S Enterprises is an authorized Taser distributor and offers the Taser X26c Citizen Defense System, Heatwave Pepper Spray, Stun Devices, and Mace Defense Sprays. For more information on the personal protection options available to you and a link to check for sex offenders in your area go to: http://ww.safeselfdefense.comBrana Blog28569
Ashlan Blog99165