This table contains data on the rate of violent crime (crimes per 1,000 population) for California, its regions, counties, cities and towns. Crime and population data are from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Uniform Crime Reports. Rates above the city/town level include data from city, university and college, county, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies. The table is part of a series of indicators in the Healthy Communities Data and Indicators Project of the Office of Health Equity. Ten percent of all deaths in young California adults aged 15-44 years are related to assault and homicide. In 2010, California law enforcement agencies reported 1,809 murders, 8,331 rapes, and over 95,000 aggravated assaults. African Americans in California are 11 times more likely to die of assault and homicide than Whites. More information about the data table and a data dictionary can be found in the About/Attachments section.

Incident-based crime statistics (actual incidents, rate per 100,000 population, percentage change in rate, unfounded incidents, percent unfounded, total cleared, cleared by charge, cleared otherwise, persons charged, adults charged, youth charged / not charged), by detailed violations (violent, property, traffic, drugs, other Federal Statutes), police services in Ontario, 1998 to 2023.

The views expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Justice Canada. This paper examines three questions – what is an “honour killing”, in order to establish the definition used in the paper; where does it occur, looking at reported incidents in Canada; and why does it occur, examining the psychopathology involved in such criminal acts committed in the present day. Many studies have documented a perception among some families in communities outside of Canada that, in order to restore the family’s honour, a family member must kill the person who allegedly brought shame or dishonour to the family vis-à-vis the larger community. Although the term “honour-based killing” is widely recognized, it should be noted at the outset that the term is also controversial. This paper will provide a preliminary overview of the apparent incidence of honour-related killings in Canada through a summary of reported case law and media reports. Honour killings are not associated with particular religions or religious practice: they have been recorded across Christian, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim communities. Often, honour killings are not a religiously motivated crime, but are based on personal agendas, personal ego and personal mindset. In some cases, there are psychological connotations, as studies have shown that some perpetrators have undiagnosed mental illness and psychopathic traits or disorders. Gaining a better understanding of the individual, familial, community and cultural factors at play in honour killings is important for Canadian professionals who come into contact with potential victims, accomplices or offenders. From the literature review and media reports, it is evident that honour killings do occasionally occur in Canada. So far, over the past decade in Canada there have been at least a dozen reported homicides which appear to have been honour killings.