Murders In New Brunswick: The Count

New Brunswick has seen its fair share of violent crime and criminal traffic offences, with 8,030 victims reported by police in 2016. This figure equates to 1,061 victims per 100,000 people, exceeding the national average. In the same year, the New Brunswick Victim Services Program assisted 4,942 direct victims of crime and 338 family members of victims. While the province has not featured in recent statistics on homicides by province, a 2012 report revealed 40 confirmed deaths of women in acts of domestic violence, with firearms being the leading cause.

Domestic homicides in New Brunswick

New Brunswick has a problem with domestic violence, and it is a leading cause of homicides in the province. Domestic homicides are defined as those that occur between family members, intimate partners, or people who share a residence. The issue of domestic violence is not unique to New Brunswick and is a widespread problem across Canada. However, the province has taken steps to address this issue by establishing committees and conducting studies to better understand and prevent domestic homicides.

Statistics and Studies

In 2016, there were 8,030 victims of violent crime and criminal traffic offences causing death or bodily harm reported by the police in New Brunswick. This represented a rate of 1,061 victims per 100,000 population, which was higher than the national average. While the majority (83%) of victims were adults aged 18 and older, a significant number (12%) were youth aged 12 to 17, and 4% were children under 12. Assault was the most common offence, accounting for 62% of cases, while sexual offences made up 6% of police-reported victims.

A study conducted by the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research (MMFC) examined domestic homicides in New Brunswick over a 10-year period from 1999 to 2008. The study aimed to identify deaths directly or indirectly caused by domestic violence and understand the risk factors and unique etiology of domestic homicides. Unfortunately, few studies have been conducted on this topic in New Brunswick, and more research is needed to address this serious issue effectively.

Prevention and Intervention

To address domestic homicides and violence, New Brunswick has established the Domestic Violence Outreach Program and specialized services for Indigenous victims. The province's Victim Services Program assisted 4,942 direct victims of crime and 338 family members of victims in 2016. The program offers support and assistance as cases proceed through the criminal justice system. However, more needs to be done to prevent domestic homicides and protect vulnerable populations.

Domestic homicides are a serious issue in New Brunswick, and the province has taken some steps to address this problem. However, more research and resources are needed to effectively prevent and intervene in cases of domestic violence. By understanding the risk factors and unique dynamics of domestic homicides, New Brunswick can develop targeted interventions and strategies to keep its residents safe.

Victims of violent crime

New Brunswick has one of the highest crime rates in America, with a crime rate of 37 per 1,000 residents. The chance of becoming a victim of violent or property crime is one in 27. In 2016, there were 8,030 victims of violent crime and criminal traffic offences causing death or bodily harm reported by police in New Brunswick. This represented 1,061 victims per 100,000 population, above the overall national rate of 951.

Most victims of violent crime in New Brunswick are adults, with 83% of victims being aged 18 or older, and 65% aged 25 or older. However, 12% of victims were youth aged 12-17, and 4% were children under 12. When controlling for population, the rate of victimisation was highest among young adults aged 18-24 and youth aged 16-17.

In 2016, 4,942 direct victims of crime in New Brunswick were assisted by the Victim Services Program, along with 338 family members of victims. Children and youth accounted for 12% of direct victims assisted by the program, and just over half (53%) of direct victims were female. Of the direct victims who received services from the Victim Services Program, 44% were victims of violent crime, with 25% being victims of physical assault, and 2% victims of sexual assault. Half of the sexual assault victims were under 18.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety Victim Services in New Brunswick offers a system-based program that assists victims as their cases proceed through the criminal justice system. The program has offices in 15 communities and serves victims of both violent and non-violent offences that have been reported to the police. Services for victims are also available through municipal police services in Saint John and Fredericton, as well as the Codiac Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the Greater Moncton Region. In addition, specialised community-based programs such as the Domestic Violence Outreach Program, the Fredericton Sexual Assault Centre, transition homes, and specialised services for Indigenous victims are available.

Police-reported violent crime

New Brunswick has a high rate of violent crime, which includes murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. In 2022, the province's violent crime rate was at a historic high, with 1,736.82 incidents of violent crime per 100,000 people. This was only a slight decrease from the previous year, which saw a rate of 1,741.11 incidents per 100,000 people.

In 2016, there were 8,030 victims of violent crime and criminal traffic offences causing death or bodily harm reported by police in New Brunswick. This represented 1,061 victims per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 951. Of these victims, 83% were adults aged 18 and older, with 65% aged 25 and older. Youth aged 12 to 17 made up 12% of the victims, while 4% were children under 12. When controlling for population, the rate of victimisation was highest among young adults aged 18 to 24 and youth aged 16 to 17.

Assault was the most common offence, with 62% of victims of police-reported crime in 2016 being victims of assault. Of these, 47% were victims of common assault (level 1) and 12% were victims of major assault (level 2 or 3). Assault victims accounted for 64% of adult victims of violent crime. For child and youth victims, assault made up 52% of reported offences. The rate of assault was highest among young adults.

Sexual offences were reported by 6% of police-reported victims. However, these offences were much more prevalent among child and youth victims, with 16% of child victims under 12 and 14% of youth victims aged 12 to 17 reporting sexual assault. Sexual violations against children were reported by 17% of child victims and 9% of youth victims. Overall, the rate of police-reported sexual assault was highest among youth aged 16 to 17, while sexual violations against children were highest among those aged 12 to 15.

Other violent offences, including uttering threats, were reported by 30% of police-reported victims in 2016. More than half (54%) of police-reported victims were female, and they represented a much larger proportion of victims of sexual offences (87%) and other violent offences such as criminal harassment (79%) and indecent and harassing communications (71%). Assault was the most commonly reported offence for both male (67%) and female (58%) victims.

New Brunswick's violent crime rate is not an isolated issue, as the province's neighbouring community of New Brunswick, New Jersey, also has a high crime rate. With a crime rate of 37 per 1,000 residents, New Brunswick, NJ, has one of the highest crime rates in America. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in this community is 1 in 27. The violent crime rate in New Brunswick, NJ, is also high compared to other communities of similar population size. According to NeighbourhoodScout's analysis of FBI data, the chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in New Brunswick, NJ, is 1 in 110.

Firearms in the home

The Royal New Brunswick Rifle Association (RNBRA) has been promoting marksmanship, sportsmanship, and the safe use of firearms since 1866. The RNBRA offers firearms safety training courses, and there are also several approved shooting ranges and gun clubs in the region.

New Brunswick has a problem with illegal firearms, which are often obtained and possessed by individuals with previous criminal records. In 2021, the New Brunswick Police Department removed 40 illegal guns from the streets and arrested 29 individuals for unlawfully possessing firearms with the intent to commit criminal acts.

The presence of firearms in the home can increase the risk of deadly violence, especially in combination with drug and alcohol use, a previous history of domestic violence, and mental illness. It is important for individuals and communities to be aware of the risks associated with firearms and to take steps to mitigate those risks, such as through proper training, secure storage, and by addressing issues such as addiction and abuse.

Victims of sexual offences

In 2016, 6% of police-reported victims of violent crime and criminal traffic offences causing death or bodily harm in New Brunswick were victims of sexual offences. However, these offences were much more prevalent among child and youth victims. Among child victims (under age 12), 16% were victims of sexual assault, and another 17% were victims of sexual violations against children. For youth victims (aged 12-17), 14% were victims of sexual assault, and 9% were victims of sexual violations against children. Overall, 10% of female victims were victims of sexual offences, compared to 2% of male victims.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety Victim Services in New Brunswick offers a system-based program that assists victims of violent and non-violent offences as their cases proceed through the criminal justice system. The program assisted 4,942 direct victims of crime in 2016, of whom 2% were victims of sexual assault. Of these sexual assault victims, half were under the age of 18.

The Government of Canada has committed to improving services for victims of sexual assault, recognising the serious and long-term effects that sexual violence can have. In 2017, the government announced a five-year funding agreement with Escale MadaVic, a shelter for abused women and their children, to improve access to community-based services for victims of sexual violence in northwestern New Brunswick. The funding will also be used to train professionals and implement strategies to reduce stereotyping related to sexual assault.

Vulnerable victims of crime, including children under 18 and any victim or witness with a mental or physical disability that impairs their ability to testify, are eligible for testimonial aids and other protections. These protections include the use of a screen or closed-circuit TV to allow victims to testify outside the courtroom, the presence of a court support person, and the exclusion of the public from the courtroom during proceedings. The court may also order a publication ban to protect the identity of victims and witnesses, which is mandatory for those under the age of 18 and for victims of violent or sexual offences.

Frequently asked questions