Bjs Crime Against Persons With Disabilities 2009 Thru 2011 Dec 2012

• Topics: Crime/Demographics, Statistics/Trends

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U.S. Department of Justice

41\
~

Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Statistics

December 2012, NCJ 240299

Erika Harrell, Ph.D., BJS Statistician

ersons age 12 or older who had disabilities
experienced an annual average of about 923,000
nonfatal violent crimes during a 2-year period
from 2010 to 2011 (table 1). Nonfatal violent crimes
include rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated
assault, and simple assault. No statistically significant
difference was found in the average annual number of
nonfatal violent victimizations against persons with
disabilities from 2010 to 2011.
The findings in this report are based on the Bureau of
Justice Statistics’ (BJS) National Crime Victimization
Survey (NCVS), a household survey that collects data
on U.S. residents age 12 or older (excluding those
living in institutions). The NCVS defines disability as
a sensory, physical, mental, or emotional condition
lasting 6 months or longer and causing difficulty in
activities of daily living. Disabilities are classified
according to six limitations: hearing, vision, cognitive,
ambulatory, self-care, and independent living.

The NCVS adopted survey questions from the U.S.
Census Bureau’s American Community Survey
(ACS) to identify respondents with disabilities.
Data from the ACS and the 2000 U.S. Standard
Population from the Decennial Census were used
to estimate age-adjusted victimization rates for
persons with and without disabilities. For this report,
victimization rates were generated by using the ACS
population estimates for persons with disabilities.
The Methodology further details data sources,
computation procedures, and data limitations.
Statistical tables in this report detail the level and
rates of nonfatal violent victimization against persons
with and without disabilities, describe the types
of disabilities, and compare victim characteristics.
Estimates are based on 2-year rolling averages
centered on the most recent year. For example,
estimates reported for 2009 represent the average
estimates for 2008 and 2009. This method improves
the reliability and stability of estimate comparisons
over time.

Table 1
Average annual number of violent crimes, by type of crime and victim’s disability status, 2009–2011
Type of crime
Total
Serious violent crime
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault

2009
999,060
310,580
44,330
135,250
131,010
688,470

Persons with disabilities
2010
870,590
337,960
33,580
141,130
163,250
532,630

2011
922,900
401,090
58,600
143,630
198,860
521,810

Persons without disabilities
2009
2010
2011
5,032,300
4,432,020
4,446,400
1,673,730
1,494,420
1,371,240
283,310
253,490
197,590
522,180
460,670
419,000
868,240
780,260
754,660
3,358,570
2,937,600
3,075,150

Bureau of Justice Statistics · Statistical Tables

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities,
2009-2011 - Statistical Tables

Note: Based on the noninstitutionalized U.S. residential population age 12 or older. Estimates are based on 2-year rolling averages. See appendix
table 1 for standard errors.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011.

BJS
HJS

List of tables
Table 1. Average annual number of violent crimes, by
type of crime and victim’s disability status, 2009–2011. . . 1
Table 2. Unadjusted violent victimization rates, by
victim’s disability status and age, 2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Table 3. Age-adjusted and unadjusted rates of violent
victimization for persons with disabilities, by type of
crime, 2009–2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Table 6. Percent of violence against persons with
disabilities that involved victims with multiple disability
types, by type of crime, 2009–2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Table 7. Age-adjusted rate of violent victimization, by
type of crime and number of disability types, 2009–2011.6
Table 8. Unadjusted rate of violent victimization against
persons with disabilities, by disability type, 2009–2011. . 7

Table 4. Age-adjusted and unadjusted rates of violent
victimization for persons without disabilities, by type of
crime, 2009–2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Table 9. Unadjusted rate of serious violent victimization
against persons with disabilities, by disability type,
2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Table 5. Age-adjusted rates of violent victimization, by
victim’s disability status, sex, race, and Hispanic origin,
2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Table 10. Unadjusted rate of simple assault of persons
with disabilities, by disability type, 2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . 7
Table 11. Unadjusted violent victimization rate, by
victim’s sex and disability type, 2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

List of appendix tables
Appendix table 1. Standard errors for average annual
number of violent crimes, by type of crime and victim’s
disability status, 2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Appendix table 10. Standard errors for unadjusted rate
of simple assault of persons with disabilities, by disability
type, 2009–2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Appendix table 2. Standard errors for unadjusted
violent victimization rates, by victim’s disability status and
age, 2009–2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Appendix table 11. Standard errors for unadjusted
violent victimization rate, by victim’s sex and disability
type, 2009–2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Appendix table 3. Standard errors for age-adjusted and
unadjusted rates of violent victimization for persons with
disabilities, by type of crime , 2009-2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Appendix table 12. Numbers and percentages of
U.S. population, by the victim’s disability status and
demographic characteristics, 2008–2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Appendix table 4. Standard errors for age-adjusted
and unadjusted rates of violent victimization for persons
without disabilities, by type of crime , 2009–2011 . . . . . . 15

Appendix table 13. U.S. residential population
calculated and according to the Census Bureau’s
actual ACS estimates, by victim’s disability status and
demographic characteristics, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Appendix table 5. Standard errors for age-adjusted
rates of violent victimization, by victim’s disability status,
sex, race, and Hispanic origin, 2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Appendix table 6. Standard errors for percent of
violence against persons with disabilities that involved
victims with multiple disability types, by type of crime,
2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Appendix table 14. Unadjusted rate of violent
victimization, by victim’s disability status and
demographic characteristics, 2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Appendix table 15. Standard errors for unadjusted rate
of violent victimization, by victim’s disability status and
demographic characteristics, 2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Appendix table 7. Standard errors for age-adjusted rate
of violent victimization, by type of crime and number of
disability types, 2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Appendix table 16. Unadjusted rates of violent
victimization, by type of crime and victim’s number of
disability types, 2009–2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Appendix table 8. Standard errors for unadjusted rate
of violent victimization of persons with disabilities, by
disability type, 2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Appendix table 17. Standard errors for unadjusted
rates of violent victimization, by type of crime and victim’s
number of disability types,
2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Appendix table 9. Standard errors for unadjusted
rate of serious violent victimization of persons with
disabilities, by disability type, 2009–2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Violent crime by victim’s age and disability status
Among persons ages 12 to 15, the average annual
unadjusted rate of violent victimization was higher for
persons with disabilities (76 per 1,000) than for persons
without disabilities (30 per 1,000) in 2011 (table 2).
Among persons ages 16 to 19, persons with disabilities
had an average annual unadjusted rate of violent
victimization (123 per 1,000) that was at least three times
greater than that of persons without disabilities (37 per
1,000) in 2011.
From 2009 to 2011, the average annual unadjusted rate of
violent victimization among persons ages 16 to 19 with
disabilities increased from 77 per 1,000 to 123 per 1,000.
The average annual unadjusted rate of violent
victimization among persons with disabilities ages 20 to
24 slightly increased from 74 per 1,000 in 2010 to 110 per
1,000 in 2011.

The use of age-adjusted rates
Direct comparisons of the violent victimization rate
between persons with and without disabilities without
taking into account the differences in age distributions
between the two populations can be misleading. The age
distribution of persons with disabilities differs considerably
from that of persons without disabilities, and violent crime
victimization rates vary significantly with age. To compare
rates of violent victimization by disability status, an age
adjustment method was used to handle the differences in
age distributions of persons with disabilities and without
disabilities. According to the ACS, persons with disabilities
are generally older than persons without disabilities. For
example, about 41% of persons with disabilities were
age 65 or older in 2010, compared to 11% of persons
without disabilities. The age adjustment standardizes
the rate of violence for persons with disabilities to show
what the rate against them would be if they had the same
age distribution as the 2000 U.S. Standard Population as
calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The average annual unadjusted rate of violent
victimization against persons with disabilities age 65 or
older slightly increased from 2010 (3 per 1,000) to 2011
(5 per 1,000).
Table 2
Unadjusted violent victimization rates, by victim’s disability status and age, 2009–2011
Age of victim
Total
12–15 years old
16–19
20–24
25–34
35–49
50–64
65 or older

Rate per 1,000 persons with disabilities
2009
2010
2011
28.9
25.1
26.4
106.6
69.9
75.9
77.1
101.3
123.2
103.8
73.8
110.0
49.9
39.5
55.3
55.8
48.8
41.2
25.5
24.1
20.5
2.8
2.5
4.6

Rate per 1,000 persons without disabilities
2009
2010
2011
23.3
20.2
20.1
47.8
34.7
29.6
37.2
30.9
36.6
39.4
32.8
32.5
30.3
29.3
27.9
19.9
17.2
17.9
11.5
11.3
11.3
4.0
3.8
3.2

Note: Based on the noninstitutionalized U.S. residential population age 12 or older. Estimates are based on 2-year rolling averages. The 2011 rates were calculated using
2010 populations from the American Community Survey, and 2011 populations were calculated using 2010 proportions. See Methodology. See appendix table 2 for
standard errors.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Violent crime by type of crime
The average annual age-adjusted rate of violent
victimization for persons with disabilities (48 per 1,000
persons with disabilities) was more than twice the rate
among persons without disabilities (19 per 1,000 persons
without disabilities) in 2011 (table 3 and table 4).
In 2011, the average annual age-adjusted rate of serious
violent victimization for persons with disabilities (22 per
1,000) was more than three times higher than that for
persons without disabilities (6 per 1,000).
During 2011, serious violence (rape/sexual assault,
robbery, and aggravated assault) accounted for about 43%
of nonfatal violent crime against persons with disabilities,
which was higher than the percentage found for persons
without disabilities (31%) (not shown in table).

No statistically significant difference was found in the
average annual rates of violent victimization against
persons with disabilities from 2009 to 2011.
Among persons without disabilities, the rate of violent
victimization declined from 2009 (22 per 1,000) to 2010
(20 per 1,000). No statistically significant difference was
found in the average annual age-adjusted rates of violent
victimization for persons without disabilities in the 2010
(20 per 1,000) and 2011 (19 per 1,000).
For both persons with and without disabilities, the
average annual age-adjusted rate of simple assault
declined from 2009 to 2010 and remained stable in 2011.
Among persons with and without disabilities, aggravated
assault remained stable from 2009 to 2011.

In 2011, the age-adjusted average annual rate of simple
assault against persons with disabilities (26 per 1,000) was
twice that for persons without disabilities (13 per 1,000).
Table 3
Age-adjusted and unadjusted rates of violent victimization
for persons with disabilities, by type of crime, 2009–2011
Type of crime
Total
Serious violent crime
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault

Rates per 1,000 persons with disabilities
Age-adjusted
Unadjusted
2009 2010 2011
2009 2010 2011
50.1
42.9
47.8
28.9
25.1
26.4
15.6
17.9
21.7
9.0
9.7
11.5
1.7
1.7
2.7
1.3
1.0
1.7
7.2
7.6
8.3
3.9
4.1
4.1
6.6
8.6
10.6
3.8
4.7
5.7
34.5
25.0
26.1
19.9
15.4
14.9

Note: Based on the noninstitutionalized U.S. residential population age 12 or
older. Estimates are age-based on 2-year rolling averages. Age-adjusted rates
were created using direct standardization with the 2000 Standard Population.
The 2011 rates were calculated using 2010 populations from the American
Community Survey, and 2011 populations were calculated using 2010
proportions. See Methodology. See appendix table 3 for standard errors.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey,
2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Standard Population and the American
Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Table 4
Age-adjusted and unadjusted rates of violent victimization
for persons without disabilities, by type of crime, 2009–2011
Type of crime
Total
Serious violent crime
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault

Rates per 1,000 persons without disabilities
Age-adjusted
Unadjusted
2009 2010 2011
2009 2010 2011
22.4
19.5
19.4
23.3
20.2
20.1
7.4
6.5
6.0
7.7
6.8
6.2
1.3
1.1
0.9
1.3
1.2
0.9
2.3
2.0
1.8
2.4
2.1
1.9
3.8
3.4
3.3
4.0
3.6
3.4
15.0
13.0
13.4
15.5
13.4
13.9

Note: Based on the noninstitutionalized U.S. residential population age 12 or
older. Estimates are age-based on 2-year rolling averages. Age-adjusted rates
were created using direct standardization with the 2000 Standard Population.
The 2011 rates were calculated using 2010 populations from the American
Community Survey, and 2011 populations were calculated using 2010
proportions. See Methodology. See appendix table 4 for standard errors.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey,
2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Standard Population and the American
Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Violent crime rates by sex, race, and Hispanic origin
Sex
In 2011, the average annual age-adjusted rate of violent
victimization was greater for persons with disabilities
than for those without disabilities for both males and
females (table 5).
The rate of violence for males with disabilities was 42 per
1,000 in 2011, compared to 22 per 1,000 for males without
disabilities.
For females with disabilities, the rate of violence was 53
per 1,000 in 2011, compared to 17 per 1,000 for females
without disabilities.
Among persons with disabilities, no statistically
significant difference was found in the average annual
age-adjusted rate of violent victimization for males and
females in 2011.
Race and Hispanic origin
For each racial group measured, persons with disabilities
had higher average annual age-adjusted violent
victimization rates than persons without disabilities in
2011.

For each of the racial groups examined, no statistically
significant difference was found among persons with
disabilities in the average annual age-adjusted rates of
violent victimization for 2009 and 2011.
In 2011, there was no statistically significant difference
in the average annual age-adjusted rates of violent
victimization for whites with disabilities (52 per 1,000)
and blacks with disabilities (37 per 1,000).
Persons of other races (including American Indians/
Alaska Natives, Asians, and Pacific Islanders)
(26 per 1,000) had a lower average annual rate of violent
victimization than whites (52 per 1,000) and persons of
two or more races (78 per 1,000) in 2011.
Among persons with and without disabilities, Hispanics
had a lower average annual rate of violent victimization
than non-Hispanics in 2011.
Among Hispanics, persons with disabilities (33 per 1,000)
had a higher average annual rate of violent victimization
in 2010 than persons without disabilities (16 per 1,000).
The same was true among non-Hispanics (51 per 1,000
persons with disabilities compared to 20 per 1,000
persons without disabilities).

Table 5
Age-adjusted rates of violent victimization, by victim’s disability status, sex, race, and Hispanic origin, 2009–2011
Victim characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Racea
White
Black
Otherb
Two or more races
Hispanic/Latino originc
Hispanic/Latino
Non-Hispanic/Latino

Rate per 1,000 persons with disabilities
2009
2010
2011
50.1
42.9
47.8

Rate per 1,000 persons without disabilities
2009
2010
2011
22.4
19.5
19.4

39.2
60.8

33.7
52.5

42.0
53.3

23.5
21.2

20.2
18.8

21.6
17.3

54.9
38.6
34.0
59.6

44.8
37.1
21.0
77.6

51.7
37.0
26.5
78.2

24.1
26.9
6.2
22.2

20.3
26.5
6.6
18.4

20.6
23.9
6.5
24.6

25.6
54.0

31.6
44.6

32.6
50.6

17.8
23.4

15.2
20.5

15.6
20.2

Note: Based on the noninstitutionalized U.S. residential population age 12 or older. Estimates are based on 2-year rolling averages. Rates were adjusted using
direct standardization with the 2000 Standard Population. The 2010 rates were calculated using 2010 populations from the American Community Survey, and 2011
populations were calculated using 2010 proportions. See Methodology. See appendix table 5 for standard errors.
aEach racial group includes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.
bIncludes American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.
cIncludes persons of all races.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2010, and U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Standard Population and the American Community
Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Violent crime by number of disability types
In 2011, an average annual 57% of nonfatal violent crime
against persons with disabilities involved victims who
had multiple disability types (hearing, vision, cognitive,
ambulatory, self-care, independent living). While this was
not statistically different from the percentage found in
2010 (51%), it was an increase from the percentage found
in 2009 (41%) (table 6).
From 2009 to 2011, the average annual percentage of
violent victimization against persons with disabilities in
which the victim had multiple disability types increased
for rape/sexual assault, robbery, and simple assault.

Persons with a single disability type (38 per 1,000) had a
lower violent victimization rate than persons with more
than one disability type (61 per 1,000) in 2011 (table 7).
In 2011, the average annual age-adjusted rate of serious
violent victimization against persons with one disability
type was 16 per 1,000, compared to 30 per 1,000 among
persons with multiple disability types.
The average annual age-adjusted rate of violent crime
against persons with a single disability type decreased
from 53 per 1,000 in 2009 to 38 per 1,000 in 2011. Among
persons with multiple disability types, the rate increased
from 43 per 1,000 in 2009 to 61 per 1,000 in 2011.

Table 6
Percent of violence against persons with disabilities that involved victims with multiple disability types, by type of crime,
2009–2011
Year
2009
2010
2011

Total violent crime
41.4%
50.7
56.9

Serious violent crime
37.3%
52.4
60.7

Rape/sexual assault
32.1%!
47.8
72.4

Robbery
27.3%
49.4
61.3

Aggravated assault
49.3%
56.0
56.9

Simple assault
43.3%
49.7
54.0

Table 7
Age-adjusted rate of violent victimization, by type of crime and number of disability types, 2009–2011
Type of crime
Total
Serious violent crime
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault

Rate per 1,000 persons with one disability type
2009
2010
2011
52.9
38.3
37.6
17.2
15.2
15.9
2.2
1.5
1.9 !
9.4
7.1
5.8
5.6
6.5
8.2
35.7
23.2
21.6

Rate per 1,000 persons with multiple disability types
2009
2010
2011
43.0
48.0
60.9
13.0
21.8
29.5
1.1 !
1.9
3.6
3.4
8.1
11.9
8.4
11.8
14.0
30.0
26.2
31.3

Note: Estimates are based on 2-year rolling averages. Persons age 15 or older with multiple disability types have two or more of the following disability types: hearing,
vision, ambulatory, cognitive, self-care, and independent living. Persons are 12 to 14 with multiple disability types have two or more of the following disability
types: hearing, vision, ambulatory, cognitive, and self-care. See Methodology for more information. Rates were adjusted using direct standardization with the 2000
Standard Population. The 2010 rates were calculated using 2010 populations from the American Community Survey, and 2011 populations were calculated using 2010
proportions. See Methodology. See appendix table 7 for standard errors.
! Interpret with caution; based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or coefficient of variation is over 50%.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Standard Population and American Community
Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Types of disability
Persons with cognitive disabilities had the highest average
annual unadjusted rate of violent victimization from 2009
to 2011 (table 8).
Among persons with cognitive disabilities, the average
annual rate of serious violent victimization increased
across the study period from 12 per 1,000 in 2009 to 24
per 1,000 in 2011 (table 9).
The average annual rate of serious violent victimization
against persons with self-care disabilities increased from
2009 (4 per 1,000) to 2011 (13 per 1,000).
The average annual unadjusted rate of simple assault
against persons with cognitive disabilities slightly declined
from 2009 (34 per 1,000) to 2010 (26 per 1,000), then
remained stable through 2011 (table 10).

Table 9
Unadjusted rate of serious violent victimization against
persons with disabilities, by disability type, 2009–2011
Disability type
Hearing
Vision
Ambulatory
Cognitive
Self-care
Independent living

2009
7.3
8.6
6.2
12.4
3.9
6.1

2010
4.5
12.0
8.2
17.9
7.9
10.2

Note: Estimates are based on 2-year rolling averages. Includes persons with
multiple disability types. Age-adjusted rates were not generated by disability
types due to differences and limitations with the data for these groups. Serious
violent victimization includes rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated
assault. The 2010 rates were calculated using 2010 populations from the
American Community Survey, and 2011 populations were calculated using
2010 proportions. Rates are per 1,000 persons age 12 and older, except for
independent living disability, which is per 1,000 persons age 15 or older. See
Methodology. See appendix table 9 for standard errors.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey,
2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Table 8
Unadjusted rate of violent victimization against persons
with disabilities, by disability type, 2009–2011

Table 10
Unadjusted rate of simple assault of persons with
disabilities, by disability type, 2009–2011

Disability type
Hearing
Vision
Ambulatory
Cognitive
Self-care
Independent living

2009
16.7
28.6
20.5
46.0
18.3
24.4

2010
10.6
24.9
19.7
43.5
17.8
26.4

2011
17.3
23.5
22.7
51.0
27.8
25.7

Note: Estimates are based on 2-year rolling averages. Includes persons with
multiple disability types. Age-adjusted rates were not generated by disability
types due to differences and limitations with the data for these groups. The 2010
rates were calculated using 2010 populations from the American Community
Survey, and 2011 populations were calculated using 2010 proportions. Rates
are per 1,000 persons age 12 and older, except for independent living disability,
which is per 1,000 persons age 15 or older. See Methodology. See appendix
table 8 for standard errors.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey,
2008–2011, and the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey,
2008–2010.

2011
8.3
10.7
10.6
23.7
12.5
11.8

2009
9.4
20.0
14.2
33.5
14.4
18.2

2010
6.1
12.9
11.5
25.6
9.9
16.3

2011
9.0
12.8
12.1
27.3
15.3
13.9

Note: Estimates are based on 2-year rolling averages. Includes persons with
multiple disability types. Age-adjusted rates were not generated by disability
types due to differences and limitations with the data for these groups. Rates
are per 1,000 persons age 12 and older, except for independent living disability,
which is per 1,000 persons age 15 or older. The 2010 rates were calculated using
2010 populations from the American Community Survey, and 2011 populations
were calculated using 2010 proportions. See Methodology. See appendix table 10
for standard errors.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 20082011, and the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008-2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

In 2011, with the exception of self-care, no differences
were detected in the unadjusted rates of violent
victimization by victim’s sex and disability type (table 11).
Males with self-care disabilities (34 per 1,000) had a
slightly higher rate of violent victimization than females
with self-care disabilities (23 per 1,000) in 2011.
Among males with disabilities—
From 2009 to 2010, no change was detected in the average
annual unadjusted rate of violent victimization against
males with any disability type.
From 2010 to 2011, the average annual unadjusted rate
of violent victimization against males with hearing,
cognitive, and self-care disabilities slightly increased.

Among females with disabilities—
The average annual unadjusted rate of violent
victimization against females with hearing disabilities
decreased from 27 per 1,000 in 2009 to 11 per 1,000 in
2010. There was no statistically significant difference in
the average annual rates of violent victimization against
females with hearing disabilities from 2010 to 2011.
From 2010 to 2011, no statistically significant difference
was found in the average annual unadjusted rates
of violent victimization against females with vision,
ambulatory, cognitive, self-care, and independent living
disabilities.

Table 11
Unadjusted violent victimization rate, by victim’s sex and disability type, 2009–2011
Disability type
Hearing
Vision
Ambulatory
Cognitive
Self-care
Independent living

2009
8.9
32.2
18.5
44.0
19.1
25.6

Rate per 1,000 males
2010
10.4
27.7
19.3
38.0
15.1
23.4

2011
19.6
21.6
24.7
49.9
33.9
22.1

2009
27.1
25.8
21.8
47.7
17.8
23.6

Rate per 1,000 females
2010
10.7
22.6
19.9
48.6
19.6
28.4

2011
14.2
25.0
21.3
52.0
23.4
28.0

Note: Estimates are based on 2-year rolling averages. Includes persons with multiple disability types. Age-adjusted rates were not generated by disability types due to
data differences and limitations for males and females. Rates are per 1,000 persons age 12 and older, except for independent living disability, which is per 1,000 persons
age 15 or older. The 2010 rates were calculated using 2010 populations from the American Community Survey, and 2011 populations were calculated using 2010
proportions. See Methodology. See appendix table 11 for standard errors.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

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Methodology
Survey coverage
The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is an
annual data collection conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau
for the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). The NCVS is a selfreport survey in which interviewed persons are asked about
the number and characteristics of victimizations experienced
during the prior 6 months. The NCVS collects information
on nonfatal personal crimes (rape or sexual assault, robbery,
aggravated and simple assault, and personal larceny) and
household property crimes (burglary, motor vehicle theft,
and other theft) both reported and not reported to police.
In addition to providing annual level and change estimates
on criminal victimization, the NCVS is the primary source
of information on the nature of criminal victimization
incidents. Survey respondents provide information about
themselves (such as age, sex, race and ethnicity, marital
status, education level, and income) and if they experienced
a victimization. For crime victims, information about the
offender (such as age, race and ethnicity, sex, and victimoffender relationship), characteristics of the crime (including
time and place of occurrence, use of weapons, nature of
injury, and economic consequences), whether the crime was
reported to police, reasons why the crime was or was not
reported, and experiences with the criminal justice system
are collected about each victimization incident.
The NCVS is administered to persons age 12 or older from a
nationally representative sample of households in the United
States. Once selected, households remain in the sample
for 3 years, and eligible persons in these households are
interviewed every 6 months for a total of seven interviews.
New households rotate into the sample on an ongoing basis
to replace outgoing households that have been in sample
for the 3-year period. The sample includes persons living
in group quarters, such as dormitories, rooming houses,
and religious group dwellings, and excludes persons living
in military barracks and institutional settings, such as
correctional or hospital facilities, and the homeless. (For
more detail, see the Survey Methodology for Criminal
Victimization in the United States, 2007, NCJ 227669, BJS
web, March 2010.)
In 2011, about 143,000 persons age 12 or older from about
79,800 households across the country were interviewed
during the year. From 2008 to 2011—the primary reference
period for this report—a total of 561,000 persons from about
315,000 households were interviewed. This equates to an
annual average of about 140,000 persons age 12 or older in
households interviewed each year from 2008 to 2011.
The NCVS adopted questions from the U.S. Census Bureau’s
American Community Survey (ACS) to measure the rate
of victimization against people with disabilities. The NCVS
does not identify persons in the general populations with

disabilities. The ACS Subcommittee on Disability Questions
developed the disability questions based on questions
used in the 2000 Decennial Census and earlier versions of
the ACS. The questions identify persons who may require
assistance to maintain their independence, be at risk for
discrimination, or lack opportunities available to the general
population because of limitations related to a prolonged (6
months or longer) sensory, physical, mental, or emotional
condition. More information about the ACS and the
disability questions is available on the U.S. Census Bureau
website at http://www.census.gov/acs/www/.
Changes to the disability questions on the NCVS and
ACS in 2008
In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau changed some of the
disability questions on the ACS. The question about sensory
disability was separated into two questions about blindness
and deafness, and the questions about physical disability
were asked only about serious difficulty walking or climbing
stairs. Also, questions on employment disability and going
outside of the home were eliminated in 2008. Census Bureau
analysis of 2007 and 2008 ACS disability data revealed
significant conceptual and measurement differences between
the 2007 and 2008 disability questions. The Census Bureau
concluded that data users should not compare the 2007
estimates of the population with disabilities and those of
later years. Because the 2007 and 2008 NCVS disability
questions mirrored the ACS, estimates of victimization
of people with disabilities from the 2007 and 2008 NCVS
should not be compared. As a result, the 2007 disability
data are not presented in this report. Further explanation
about incomparability of the 2007 and 2008 ACS disability
data is available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/
disability/2008ACS_disability.pdf.
Definitions of disability types
Disabilities are classified according to six limitations: hearing,
vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, independent living.
Hearing limitation entails deafness or serious difficulty
hearing.
Vision limitation is blindness or serious difficulty seeing,
even when wearing glasses.
Cognitive limitation includes serious difficulty in
concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition.
Ambulatory limitation is difficulty walking or climbing
stairs.
Self-care limitation is a condition that causes difficulty
dressing or bathing.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Independent living limitation is a physical, mental, or
emotional condition that impedes doing errands alone,
such as visiting a doctor or shopping.
Disability questions included in the NCVS from 2008
through 2011
Questions 169a through 173
169a. Are you deaf or do you have serious difficulty hearing?
169b. Are you blind or do you have serious difficulty seeing
even when wearing glasses?
170a. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition,
do you have serious difficulty:
concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?
walking or climbing stairs?
dressing or bathing?
170b. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition,
do you have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a
doctor’s office or shopping?
171. Is “Yes” marked in any of 169a–170b? (That is, has the
respondent indicated that he/she has a health condition or
disability?)
172. During the incident you just told me about, do you have
reason to suspect you were victimized because of your health
condition(s), impairment(s), or disability(ies)?
173. What health conditions, impairments, or disabilities do
you believe caused you to be targeted for this incident?
In the ACS, persons ages 12 to 14 are not asked about
independent living and are therefore not included in the
populations with independent living disabilities. Even
though crime victims ages 12 to 14 receive this question
in the NCVS (question 170b), victims ages 12 to 14 who
respond affirmatively are excluded from rates of violent
victimization against persons with an independent living
disability in order to match the age limitations for having an
independent living disability in the ACS (age 15 or older).
In this report, rates of violence against persons with an
independent living disability are per 1,000 persons age 15 or
older, compared to rates per 1,000 persons ages 12 or older
for other disability types. Also, violent crime victims ages 12
to 14 who report in the NCVS that they have an independent
living disability and no other disability are classified as
not having a disability to be compatible with age limits on
disability definitions in the ACS.

Limitations of the estimates
The NCVS was designed to measure the incidence of
criminal victimization against the U.S. civilian household
population, excluding persons who live in institutions
and the homeless. In this report, institutions refer to adult
correctional facilities, juvenile facilities, nursing facilities
or skilled nursing facilities, in-patient hospice facilities,
residential schools for people with disabilities, and hospitals
with patients who have no usual home elsewhere as defined
by the ACS. The measures of crime against persons with
disabilities (as measured by the NCVS and ACS) cover only
people with disabilities who are living among the general
population in household settings. Subsequently, there is
some coverage error in using just the noninstitutionalized
population. For example, according to the ACS, about
96% of 1.3 million persons age 65 or older living in
institutions had disabilities in 2010. Because persons in
these facilities would not be covered in the NCVS, estimates
of violence against these persons are not counted. This
lack of information from the institutions will result in an
undercount of violence against persons with disabilities.
Certain aspects of the NCVS design can also contribute
to an underestimation of the level or type of violence
against persons with disabilities. For example, the survey
instruments, modes of interview, and interviewing protocols
used in the NCVS may not be suited for interviewing people
with difficulty communicating, especially by telephone.
Currently, about 55% of the interviews conducted for the
NCVS are by telephone. Some people have disabilities that
limit their verbal communication and use technology to
enhance their ability to communicate, but many people do
not have access to such technology.
Proxy interviews may also lead to an underestimate of
violence against persons with disabilities. The survey requires
direct interviews with eligible respondents and allows the use
of proxy interviews with a caregiver or other eligible party in
a limited set of circumstances. A proxy interview is allowed
when a respondent is physically or mentally incapable of
responding. The survey restrictions on proxy interviews were
instituted because someone else may not know about the
victimization experiences of the respondent, and because
the person providing the information via proxy may be
the perpetrator of the abuse or violence experienced by the
respondent. Since proxy respondents may be more likely to
omit crime incidents or may not know some details about
reported crime incidents, the number or types of crimes
against persons with disabilities may be underestimated. In
2011, about 5% of violent crime incidents against persons with
disabilities were obtained from proxy interviews. In addition,
in 2011, all of the violent incidents against persons with
disabilities conducted by proxy interviews were for simple
assault, compared to about 57% of violent incidents against
persons with disabilities conducted from nonproxy interviews
(not shown in table).

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Disability population in the United States
According to the ACS, about 14% of the U.S. population
age 12 or older living outside of institutions in 2010 had a
disability. Characteristics of the population with and without
disabilities are compared in appendix table 11. Among
noninstitutionalized persons with disabilities, 47% were
male and 53% were female. Whites accounted for about
78% of the population with disabilities, blacks 14%, and
persons of two or more races 2%. About 11% were Hispanic.
About 70% of the population with disabilities was age 50 or
older, compared to about 33% in the population of persons
without disabilities. The sex, race, Hispanic origin, and
age distributions of persons with a disability living outside
of institutions did not change substantially between 2009
and 2010. The 2011 population estimates for persons with
disabilities were based on the 2010 population distributions
(see below).
Comparing 2010 computed populations and 2010 ACS
populations
For this report BJS calculated 2010 age-adjusted and
unadjusted rates of violent victimization by disability status
and other demographics. BJS used population estimates that
were computed using 2009 proportions of the populations
by disability status from the American Community Survey
(ACS). BJS did this because the 2010 populations by
disability status were not available from the ACS. However,
2010 populations by disability status and other demographic
characteristics were available from the 2010 ACS. BJS
compared the two 2010 populations (calculated from
proportions of demographic information in the 2009 ACS
and actual estimates from the 2010 ACS) (appendix table
12). Even though the calculated counts differ from the ACS
counts for each demographic group within both disability
statuses, no systematic differences were detected between the
calculated populations and the 2010 ACS populations. As a
result, a decision was made to continue this practice for the
2011 rates.
Computation of 2011 populations by disability status
Data from 2011 were available from the NCVS but not
the ACS for this report. Therefore, another method was
used to generate populations used to calculate estimates
of 2011 rates by disability status. First, the total resident
noninstitutionalized U.S. population age 12 or older for
2011 was generated from the NCVS. Next, the proportions
of the 2010 overall population by disability status and by
demographic groups within each disability status were
calculated from the ACS. These proportions were then
applied to the overall 2011 population from the NCVS to
generate 2011 populations by disability status. The 2011
rates were then calculated using the same method used to
calculate the 2008, 2009, and 2010 rates, using numerators
from the 2011 NCVS and the 2011 populations generated
using proportions of the 2010 ACS population.

Direct standardization with the 2000 U.S. Standard
Population1
The method used to generate age-adjusted rates of
violent victimization presented in this report was direct
standardization with the 2000 U.S. Standard Population
from the Decennial Census as the standard population.
Age-adjusted standardization eliminates the problem of
different age distributions between and within groups. In
general, persons with disabilities are an older population
than persons without disabilities. Since crime rates vary
by age, direct standardization produces age-adjusted rates
that would occur if both populations had the same age
distribution as the standard population.
The 2000 U.S. Standard Population was created by the U.S.
Census Bureau Population Projection Program (www.
census.gov/population/www/projections/index.html),
which uses data from the Current Population Survey.
To calculate age groups using the 2000 U.S. Standard
Population, populations of single years of age were obtained
for persons age 12 or older from the Census P25–1130
(www.census.gov/prod/1/pop/p25-1130/) series estimates
of the 2000 populations generated by the U. S. Census
Bureau Population Projection Program. These single-year
populations for persons age 12 or older were then summed
to create the following age groups: ages 12 to 15, 16 to 19,
20 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 49, 50 to 64, and 65 or older. In this
report, the total standard population refers to the 2000 U.S.
Standard Population age 12 or older. All weights created for
this report based on the 2000 U.S. Standard Population are
not race- or sex-specific, so they do not adjust for differences
in the racial or sex distributions between populations of
persons with and without disabilities.
There is little difference in the race and sex distributions
between populations of persons with and without
disabilities. According to the 2010 ACS, among
noninstitutionalized persons with disabilities, about
47% were male and 53% were female, compared to 49%
of persons without disabilities being male and 51%
being female. Whites accounted for 78% of persons with
disabilities and 75% of persons without disabilities. Blacks
accounted for about 14% of persons with disabilities and
about 12% of persons without disabilities. Persons of other
racial groups accounted for about 7% of persons with
disabilities and about 11% of persons without disabilities.
Persons of two or more races made up the same percentage
(about 2%) of the population with and without disabilities.
Hispanics accounted for about 11% of persons with
disabilities and about 16% of persons without disabilities
1For

more information on direct standardization, see L. R. Curtin, Ph.D.
and R.J. Klein, M.P.H., (1995) Direct Standardization (Age-adjusted Death
Rates). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for
Health Statistics, 6. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/statnt/
statnt06rv.pdf

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

in 2010. Non-Hispanics accounted for about 89% of
persons with disabilities and about 84% of persons without
disabilities.
The violent victimization rate, age-adjusted using direct
standardization with the 2000 U.S. Standard Population as
the standard population (Rd), is calculated as—
Rd = ∑ (wa * ra)
where
Rd = age-adjusted rate of violent victimization of
the population of interest calculated using direct
standardization
wa = weight calculated from the 2000 U.S. Standard
Population for age group a
ra = unadjusted rate of violent victimization for age
group a.
The weight (wa) for age group a is calculated as—
wa = na / N
where
wa = weight calculated from the 2000 U.S. Standard
Population for age group a
na = number of persons in age group a in the 2000 U.S.
Standard Population
N = total number of persons in the 2000 U.S. Standard
Population
This method produces rates of violent victimization as if
the population of interest had the same age distribution
as the 2000 U.S. Standard Population. To use this method
to produce age-adjusted rates of violent victimization for
persons with disabilities, ra would represent the unadjusted
violent victimization rate against persons with disabilities
in age group a. To calculate the violent victimization rate
of persons without disabilities, ra would represent the
unadjusted violent victimization rate against persons
without disabilities in age group a.
Property crime
In the first two reports in this series, Crime Against People
with Disabilities, 2007, BJS web, NCJ 227814, October 2009,
and Crime Against People with Disabilities, 2008, BJS web,
NCJ 231328, December 2010, property crime by disability
status was included. These statistics are not included in this
report due to potential underreporting of property crimes
against persons with disabilities. The NCVS measure of
property crime is a household-based measure. The questions
NCVS uses to identify whether a person has a disability
are asked only of those respondents who reported that

they have been victimized. If the person who reports the
property crime is a household member with a disability,
then the NCVS identifies the property crime as one against a
household that has a person with a disability. If a household
member without a disability reports the property crime
during the survey, the NCVS does not ask whether any other
household member has a disability. For this reason, any
estimate of property crime against people with disabilities
using the NCVS may be an undercount of such crimes. As a
result, information regarding property crime is not included
in this report.
Nonresponse and weighting adjustments
The 79,800 households that participated in the NCVS in
2011 represent a 90% household response rate. The personlevel response rate—the percentage of persons age 12 or
older in participating households who completed an NCVS
interview—was 88% in 2011.
Estimates in this report use data from the 2008 to 2011
NCVS data files weighted to produce annual estimates for
persons age 12 or older living in U.S. households. Because
the NCVS relies on a sample rather than a census of the
entire U.S. population, weights are designed to inflate
sample point estimates to known population totals and to
compensate for survey nonresponse and other aspects of the
sample design.
The NCVS data files include both household and person
weights. The household weight is commonly used to calculate
estimates of property crimes, such as motor vehicle theft or
burglary, which are identified with the household. Person
weights provide an estimate of the population represented
by each person in the sample. Person weights are most
frequently used to compute estimates of crime victimizations
of persons in the total population. After proper adjustment,
both household and person weights are also used to form the
denominator in calculations of crime rates.
The victimization weights used in this analysis account
for the number of persons present during an incident and
for repeat victims of series incidents. The weight counts
series incidents as the actual number of incidents reported
by the victim, up to a maximum of ten incidents. Series
victimizations are victimizations that are similar in type but
occur with such frequency that a victim is unable to recall
each individual event or to describe each event in detail.
Survey procedures allow NCVS interviewers to identify and
classify these similar victimizations as series victimizations
and collect detailed information on only the most recent
incident in the series. In 2010 and 2011, about 3% of all
victimizations were series incidents. The approach to
weighting series incidents as the number of incidents up to a
maximum of ten produces more reliable estimates of crime
levels, while the cap at 10 minimizes the effect of extreme
outliers on the rates. Additional information on the series
enumeration is detailed in the report Methods for Counting

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

High Frequency Repeat Victimizations in the National Crime
Victimization Survey, NCJ 237308, BJS web, April 2012.
For this report, prior to applying the weights to the data,
all victimizations that occurred outside of the U.S. were
excluded. From 2008 to 2011, about 30 of the approximately
5,100 total unweighted violent victimizations occurred
outside of the U.S. and were excluded from the analyses.

Data users can use the estimates and the standard errors of
the estimates provided in this report to generate a confidence
interval around the estimate as a measure of the margin of
error. The following example illustrates how standard errors
can be used to generate confidence intervals:
According to the NCVS, during 2010 and 2011, 56.9%
of violent crime against persons with disabilities
involved victims with multiple disability types (see
table 6). Using the GVFs, BJS determined that the
estimate has a standard error of 2.5% (see appendix
table 5). A confidence interval around the estimate
was generated by multiplying the standard errors by
±1.96 (the t-score of a normal, two-tailed distribution
that excludes 2.5% at either end of the distribution).
Therefore, the confidence interval around the 56.9%
estimate from 2011 is 56.9% ± 2.5% x 1.96 or (52.0% to
61.8%). In others words, if different samples using the
same procedures were taken from the U.S. population
during 2010 and 2011, 95% of the time the percentage
of violent crimes against persons with disabilities in
which the victim had multiple disability types would fall
between 52.0% and 61.8%.

Standard error computations for percentages and
unadjusted rates
When national estimates are derived from a sample, as is the
case with the NCVS, caution must be taken when comparing
one estimate to another or when comparing estimates over
time. Although one estimate may be larger than another,
estimates based on a sample have some degree of sampling
error. The sampling error of an estimate depends on several
factors, including the amount of variation in the responses,
the size of the sample, and the size of the subgroup for which
the estimate is computed. When the sampling error around
the estimates is taken into consideration, the estimates that
appear different may, in fact, not be statistically different.
One measure of the sampling error associated with an
estimate is the standard error. The standard error can vary
from one estimate to the next. In general, for a given metric,
an estimate with a smaller standard error provides a more
reliable approximation of the true value than an estimate
with a larger standard error. Estimates with relatively large
standard errors are associated with less precision and
reliability and should be interpreted with caution.
In order to generate standard errors around numbers and
estimates from the NCVS, the Census Bureau produces
generalized variance function (GVF) parameters for BJS.
The GVFs take into account aspects of the NCVS complex
sample design and represent the curve fitted to a selection of
individual standard errors based on the Jackknife Repeated
Replication technique. The GVF parameters were used to
generate standard errors for each point estimate (such as
counts, percentages, and rates) in the report. For average
annual estimates, standard errors were based on the ratio of
the sums of victimizations and respondents across years.
In this report, BJS conducted tests to determine whether
differences in estimated numbers and percentages were
statistically significant once sampling error was taken into
account. Using statistical programs developed specifically for
the NCVS, we tested the significance of all comparisons in the
text. The primary test procedure used was Student’s t-statistic,
which tests the difference between two sample estimates. To
ensure that the observed differences between estimates were
larger than might be expected due to sampling variation, we
set the significance level at the 95% confidence level.

In this report, a coefficient of variation (CV), representing the
ratio of the standard error to the estimate, was also calculated
for all estimates. CVs provide a measure of reliability and a
means to compare the precision of estimates across measures
with differing levels or metrics. In cases where the CV was
greater than 50%, or the unweighted sample had 10 or fewer
cases, the estimate was noted with a “!” symbol (interpret data
with caution; estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or
coefficient of variation exceeds 50%).
Standard error computations and statistical
significance for age-adjusted rates2
Due to the complexity in generating age-adjusted rates of
violent crime, other methods were used to compute standard
errors and determine statistical significance. For each
age-adjusted rate, variances were computed for each age
group-specific rate using information from the generalized
variance function (GVF) parameters that the Census Bureau
produced for the NCVS. For each age group, the variance
was multiplied by the squared weight for that particular age
group in the 2000 U.S. Standard Population. The result was
then summed across all age groups to produce the variance
for the age-adjusted rate. The square root was taken of this
variance to produce the standard error of the age-adjusted
2For

more information on computing standard errors for age-adjusted
rates, see Anderson, R.N., Rosenberg, H.M. (1998). Age standardization of
death rates: implementation of the year 2000 standard national vital statistic
reports, 47 (3), Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics.
Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr47/nvs47_03.pdf.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

rate. To calculate statistical significance among age-adjusted
rates, the standard errors were computed for each ageadjusted rate. Next, confidence intervals were generated
using these standard errors with the following formula
(Rd ± 1.96 * sd), in which Rd represents the age-adjusted rate
and sd represents the standard error of Rd. If the confidence
intervals of two age-adjusted rates did not overlap, the
difference was considered statistically significant at the .05
level. If the confidence intervals of two age-adjusted rates did
overlap, the difference was considered to be not statistically
significant at the .05 level.

Crime Victims with Disabilities
Awareness Act (Public Law 105-301),
1998
The Crime Victims with Disabilities Awareness Act mandates
that the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) include
statistics on crimes against people with disabilities and the
characteristics of these victims. The act was designed “to
increase public awareness of the plight of victims of crime
with developmental disabilities, to collect data to measure
the magnitude of the problem, and to develop strategies to
address the safety and justice needs of victims of crime with
developmental disabilities.” Section 5 of the act directed
the Department of Justice to include statistics relating to
“the nature of crimes against people with developmental
disabilities; and the specific characteristics of the victims
of those crimes” in the NCVS. This report is a part of the
Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) series on crime against
people with disabilities. More information can be found on
the BJS website. Because of changes in the questionnaire,
comparisons between 2007 data and later years should
not be made. (See Methodology for more information on
changes to the NCVS and ACS questionnaires.)

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•

Appendix table 1
Standard errors for average annual number of violent crimes, by type of crime and victim’s disability status, 2009–2011
Type of crime
Total
Serious violent crime
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault

2009
85,795
44,167
13,930
26,598
26,376
66,656

Persons with disabilities
2010
81,674
47,216
11,910
23,563
27,846
64,157

2011
71,405
43,922
13,569
24,009
29,381
52,219

2009
224,509
116,066
37,876
56,197
75,843
169,346

Persons without disabilities
2010
218,761
112,680
35,757
45,850
67,919
177,807

2011
186,203
90,466
26,359
43,849
63,071
151,311

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011.

Appendix table 2
Standard errors for unadjusted violent victimization rates, by victim’s disability status and age, 2009–2011
Age of victim
Total
12–15 years old
16–19
20–24
25–34
35–49
50–64
65 or older

Rate per 1,000 persons with disabilities
2009
2010
2011
1.8
1.7
1.5
17.5
14.3
12.5
14.4
16.6
15.4
15.5
13.3
13.7
7.8
7.1
7.2
5.5
5.3
4.1
2.9
2.9
2.2
0.7
0.7
0.8

Rate per 1,000 persons without disabilities
2009
2010
2011
0.8
0.8
0.7
3.3
2.9
2.2
2.8
2.6
2.4
2.7
2.5
2.1
1.8
1.8
1.5
1.2
1.1
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.5

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Appendix table 3
Standard errors for age-adjusted and unadjusted rates of
violent victimization for persons with disabilities, by type of
crime , 2009–2011
Type of crime
Total
Serious violent crime
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault

Rates per 1,000 persons with disabilities
Age-adjusted
Unadjusted
2009 2010 2011
2009 2010 2011
2.9
2.7
2.5
1.8
1.7
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.6
0.9
1.0
0.9
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.3
1.0
0.9
1.0
0.6
0.5
0.5
1.0
1.1
1.1
0.6
0.6
0.6
2.3
2.1
1.8
1.4
1.4
1.1

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey,
2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Standard Population and the American
Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Appendix table 4
Standard errors for age-adjusted and unadjusted rates of
violent victimization for persons without disabilities, by type
of crime , 2009–2011
Type of crime
Total
Serious violent crime
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault

Rates per 1,000 persons without disabilities
Age-adjusted
Unadjusted
2009 2010 2011
2009 2010 2011
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.6
0.6
0.5

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey,
2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Standard Population and the American
Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Appendix table 5
Standard errors for age-adjusted rates of violent victimization, by victim’s disability status, sex, race, and Hispanic origin,
2009–2011
Rate per 1,000 persons with disabilities
2009
2010
2011
2.9
2.7
2.5

Victim characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race
White
Black
Other
Two or more races
Hispanic/Latino origin
Hispanic/Latino
Non-Hispanic/Latino

Rate per 1,000 persons without disabilities
2009
2010
2011
0.6
0.6
0.5

3.3
4.5

3.1
4.3

3.0
3.7

0.8
0.8

0.7
0.6

3.6
5.5
7.3
14.8

3.3
5.5
5.8
14.8

3.0
4.8
5.5
11.7

0.7
1.7
0.8
3.9

0.7
1.7
0.8
3.2

0.6
1.3
0.7
3.3

5.0
3.2

5.4
3.0

4.7
2.7

1.2
0.7

1.1
0.7

0.9
0.6

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Standard Population and the American Community
Survey, 2008–2010.

Appendix table 6
Standard errors for percent of violence against persons with disabilities that involved victims with multiple disability types, by
type of crime, 2009–2011
Year
2009
2010
2011

Total
2.8%
3.1
2.5

Serious violent crime
4.6%
4.7
3.6

Rape/sexual assault
10.1%
12.2
7.1

Robbery
5.9%
5.7
5.5

Aggravated assault
6.9%
5.7
4.9

Simple assault
3.2%
4.0
3.3

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011.

Appendix table 7
Standard errors for age-adjusted rate of violent victimization, by type of crime and number of disability types, 2009–2011
Rate per 1,000 persons with one disability type
2009
2010
2011
3.8
3.2
2.7
2.1
2.0
1.8
0.6
0.6
0.6
1.5
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.2
1.2
3.0
2.6
2.1

Type of crime
Total
Serious violent crime
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault

Rate per 1,000 persons with multiple disability types
2009
2010
2011
4.0
4.3
4.2
2.3
3.0
3.0
0.5
0.7
0.9
1.0
1.5
1.9
1.9
2.0
2.0
3.2
3.2
3.1

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Standard Population and the American Community
Survey, 2008–2010.

Appendix table 8
Standard errors for unadjusted rate of violent victimization
of persons with disabilities, by disability type, 2009–2011
Disability type
Hearing
Vision
Ambulatory
Cognitive
Self-care
Independent living

2009
2.3
3.7
1.9
3.6
2.8
2.5

2010
1.8
3.5
1.9
3.6
2.8
2.6

2011
2.0
2.9
1.7
3.3
3.0
2.2

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey,
2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Standard Population and the American
Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Appendix table 9
Standard errors for unadjusted rate of serious violent
victimization of persons with disabilities, by disability type,
2009–2011
Disability type
Hearing
Vision
Ambulatory
Cognitive
Self-care
Independent living

2009
1.4
1.9
1.0
1.7
1.2
1.2

2010
1.1
2.4
1.2
2.2
1.8
1.6

2011
1.3
1.9
1.1
2.1
1.9
1.4

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey,
2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Standard Population and the American
Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Appendix table 10
Standard errors for unadjusted rate of simple assault of
persons with disabilities, by disability type, 2009–2011
Disability type
Hearing
Vision
Ambulatory
Cognitive
Self-care
Independent living

2009
1.6
2.9
1.5
2.9
2.4
2.0

2010
1.4
2.6
1.5
2.8
2.1
2.1

2011
1.4
2.1
1.2
2.3
2.2
1.6

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey,
2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Appendix table 11
Standard errors for unadjusted violent victimization rate, by victim’s sex and disability type, 2009–2011
Disability type
Hearing
Vision
Ambulatory
Cognitive
Self-care
Independent living

2009
2.1
5.7
2.7
4.8
4.3
3.8

Rate per 1,000 males
2010
2.3
5.4
2.8
4.5
3.8
3.7

2011
2.7
4.0
2.7
4.3
4.9
3.0

2009
4.3
4.5
2.5
4.8
3.5
3.0

Rate per 1,000 females
2010
2.7
4.4
2.4
5.0
3.7
3.4

2011
2.6
3.9
2.1
4.3
3.4
2.8

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Appendix table 12
Numbers and percentages of U.S. population, by the victim’s disability status and demographic characteristics, 2008–2011
Percent
Number of total
34,542,850 100%

Persons with disabilities
2009
2010
Percent
Percent
Number of total
Number of total
34,594,740 100%
34,764,390 100%

2011a
Percent
Number of total
35,044,480 100%

16,134,760
18,408,100

46.7%
53.3

16,145,870
18,448,880

46.7%
53.3

16,348,080
18,416,320

47.0%
53.0

16,479,790
18,564,690

26,779,910
4,750,700
2,321,130
691,130

77.5%
13.8
6.7
2.0

26,770,240
4,758,810
2,330,640
735,050

77.4%
13.8
6.7
2.1

26,928,340
4,801,350
2,248,630
786,080

77.5%
13.8
6.5
2.3

3,570,960
30,971,900

10.3%
89.7

3,621,420
30,973,320

10.5%
89.5

3,684,640
31,079,750

891,960
966,910
1,108,790
2,254,470
5,847,340
9,293,610
14,179,780

2.6%
2.8
3.2
6.5
16.9
26.9
41.0

893,740
966,820
1,132,250
2,273,010
5,682,810
9,457,110
14,189,010

2.6%
2.8
3.3
6.6
16.4
27.3
41.0

902,410
954,390
1,091,830
2,161,570
5,484,270
9,818,280
14,351,650

2008
Demographic characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Raceb
White
Black/African American
Otherc
Two or more races
Hispanic/Latino origind
Hispanic/Latino
Non-Hispanic/Latino
Age
12–15 years old
16–19
20–24
25–34
35–49
50–64
65 or older

Percent
Number of total
215,281,100 100%

Persons without disabilities
2009
2010
Percent
Percent
Number of total
Number of total
217,432,740 100% 220,719,440 100%

2011a
Percent
Number of total
222,497,760 100%

47.0%
53.0

105,024,230 48.8%
110,256,880 51.2

106,103,860 48.8%
111,328,880 51.2

107,190,190 48.6%
113,529,260 51.4

108,053,810 48.6%
114,443,950 51.4

27,145,300
4,840,030
2,266,740
792,410

77.5%
13.8
6.5
2.3

164,212,730 76.3%
24,747,120 11.5
22,603,650 10.5
3,717,600 1.7

165,491,020 76.1%
25,097,270 11.5
22,851,160 10.5
3,993,300 1.8

166,184,620 75.3%
25,836,680 11.7
24,068,660 10.9
4,629,490 2.1

167,523,550 75.3%
26,044,840 11.7
24,262,580 10.9
4,666,790 2.1

10.6%
89.4

3,714,330
31,330,160

10.6%
89.4

31,381,360 14.6%
183,899,740 85.4

32,306,700 14.9%
185,126,050 85.1

34,555,840 15.7%
186,163,600 84.3

34,834,250 15.7%
187,663,500 84.3

2.6%
2.7
3.1
6.2
15.8
28.2
41.3

909,680
962,070
1,100,620
2,178,980
5,528,450
9,897,380
14,467,280

2.6%
2.7
3.1
6.2
15.8
28.2
41.3

2008

15,589,310
16,508,510
19,176,890
36,890,080
58,637,060
45,449,810
23,029,460

7.2%
7.7
8.9
17.1
27.2
21.1
10.7

15,608,380
16,400,530
19,554,590
37,884,080
57,658,620
46,583,060
23,743,490

7.2%
7.5
9.0
17.4
26.5
21.4
10.9

15,745,360
16,661,360
19,885,940
37,667,390
57,228,680
48,750,130
24,780,600

7.1%
7.5
9.0
17.1
25.9
22.1
11.2

15,872,220
16,795,600
20,046,150
37,970,870
57,689,770
49,142,900
24,980,250

7.1%
7.5
9.0
17.1
25.9
22.1
11.2

Note: Based on the noninstitutionalized U.S. residential population age 12 or older.
aThe 2011 populations are estimated based on 2010 proportions.
bIncludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.
cIncludes American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.
dIncludes persons of all races.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2008 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | April 2012

Appendix table 13
U.S. residential population calculated and according to the Census Bureau’s actual ACS estimates, by victim’s disability status and demographic characteristics, 2010

Demographic characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Racec
White
Black/African American
Other raced
Two or more races
Hispanic/Latino origine
Hispanic/Latino
Non-Hispanic/Latino
Age
12–15 years old
16–19
20–24
25–34
35–49
50–64
65 or older

Calculateda
Percent
Number
of total
35,134,800
100%

Persons with disabilities
ACS estimate
Percent
Number
of total
34,764,390
100%

Differenceb
Percent
Number
change
370,420
1.1%

Calculateda
Percent
Number
of total
220,827,130
100%

Persons without disabilities
ACS estimate
Percent
Number
of total
220,719,440 100%

Differenceb
Percent
Number
change
107,690
0.0%f

16,397,920
18,736,890

46.7%
53.3

16,348,080
18,416,320

47.0%
53.0

49,840
320,570

0.3%
1.7

107,760,270
113,066,860

48.8%
51.2

107,190,190
113,529,260

48.6%
51.4

570,080
-462,390

0.5%
-0.4

27,188,160
4,833,100
2,367,020
746,520

77.4%
13.8
6.7
2.1

26,928,340
4,801,350
2,248,630
786,080

77.5%
13.8
6.5
2.3

259,820
31,750
118,400
-39,560

1.0%
0.7
5.3
-5.0

168,074,540
25,489,060
23,207,900
4,055,640

76.1%
11.5
10.5
1.8

166,184,620
25,836,680
24,068,660
4,629,490

75.3%
11.7
10.9
2.1

1,889,920
-347,620
-860,770
-573,850

1.1%
-1.3
-3.6
-12.4

3,677,950
31,456,850

10.5%
89.5

3,684,640
31,079,750

10.6%
89.4

-6,690
377,100

-0.2%
1.2

32,811,040
188,016,090

14.9%
85.1

34,555,840
186,163,600

15.7%
84.3

-1,744,790
1,852,490

-5.0%
1.0

908,060
981,910
1,149,920
2,308,490
5,771,530
9,604,740
14,410,510

2.6%
2.8
3.3
6.6
16.4
27.3
41.0

902,410
954,390
1,091,830
2,161,570
5,484,270
9,818,280
14,351,660

2.6%
2.7
3.1
6.2
15.8
28.2
41.3

5,650
27,530
58,090
146,920
287,260
-213,540
58,860

0.6%
2.9
5.3
6.8
5.2
-2.2
0.4

15,852,040
16,656,560
19,859,860
38,475,500
58,558,740
47,310,280
24,114,160

7.2%
7.5
9.0
17.4
26.5
21.4
10.9

15,745,360
16,661,360
19,885,940
37,667,390
57,228,680
48,750,130
24,780,600

7.1%
7.5
9.0
17.1
25.9
22.1
11.2

106,680
-4,800
-26,080
808,110
1,330,060
-1,439,850
-666,450

0.7%
-0.0g
-0.1
2.1
2.3
-3.0
-2.7

Note: Based on the U.S. noninstituionalized resident U.S. population age 12 or older.
aCalculated based on 2009 proportions. See Methodology.
bNegative estimate means that the calculated estimate was lower than the actual estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
cEach racial group includes Hispanics and Latinos.
dIncludes American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.
eIncludes persons of all racial groups.
fRounds to less than 0.1%.
gRounds to less than -0.1%.
Source: The U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2009-2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2008 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | April 2012

Appendix table 14
Unadjusted rate of violent victimization, by victim’s disability status and demographic characteristics, 2009–2011
Demographic characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Racea
White
Black
Otherb
Two or more races
Hispanic/Latino originc
Hispanic/Latino
Non-Hispanic/Latino

Rate per 1,000 persons with disabilities
2009
2010
2011
28.9
25.1
26.4

Rate per 1,000 persons without disabilities
2009
2010
2011
23.3
20.2
20.1

25.9
31.5

22.9
27.1

26.0
26.8

24.8
21.8

21.2
19.3

22.6
17.7

28.0
31.7
25.3
54.8

23.9
28.0
14.4
83.4

25.0
25.5
22.3
91.7

24.2
30.4
7.2
29.3

20.4
29.9
7.9
24.4

20.5
27.4
7.7
28.2

19.8
29.9

24.9
25.1

25.7
26.5

21.1
23.6

18.1
20.6

18.9
20.3

Note: Based on the noninstitutionalized U.S. residential population age 12 or older. Estimates are based on two-year rolling averages. The 2011 rates were calculated
using 2010 populations from the American Community Survey, and 2011 populations were calculated using 2010 proportions. See Methodology. See appendix table 15
for standard errors.
aEach racial group includes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.
bIncludes American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.
cIncludes persons of all races.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Appendix table 15
Standard errors for unadjusted rate of violent victimization, by victim’s disability status and demographic characteristics,
2009–2011
Demographic characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race
White
Black
Other
Two or more races
Hispanic/Latino origin
Hispanic/Latino
Non-Hispanic/Latino

Rate per 1,000 persons with disabilities
2009
2010
2011
1.8
1.7
1.5

Rate per 1,000 persons without disabilities
2009
2010
2011
0.8
0.8
0.7

2.3
2.5

2.2
2.3

2.0
2.0

1.1
1.0

1.0
1.0

0.9
0.8

2.0
4.4
5.5
14.0

1.9
4.2
4.1
16.8

1.6
3.4
4.4
14.6

0.9
2.1
1.0
4.7

0.9
2.2
1.0
4.1

0.7
1.7
0.9
3.6

3.9
1.9

4.4
1.8

3.8
1.6

1.6
0.9

1.5
0.8

1.2
0.7

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

Appendix table 16
Unadjusted rates of violent victimization, by type of crime and victim’s number of disability types, 2009–2011
Type of crime
Total
Serious violent crime
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault

Rate per 1,000 persons with one disability type
2009
2010
2011
33.3
24.4
22.5
11.1
9.1
8.9
1.7
1.0
0.9 !
5.6
4.1
3.1
3.8
4.1
4.8
22.2
15.2
13.6

Rate per 1,000 persons with multiple disability types
2009
2010
2011
24.3
25.9
30.5
6.8
10.4
14.1
0.8 !
0.9
2.5
2.2
4.1
5.1
3.8
5.4
6.6
17.5
15.5
16.3

Note: Based on the noninstitutionalized U.S. residential population age 12 or older. Estimates are based on two-year rolling averages. Disability types measured are
hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living. Disability types are defined in the Methodology. The 2010-2011 rates were calculated using 2010
populations from the American Community Survey, and 2011 populations were calculated using 2010 proportions. See Methodology. See appendix table 17 for standard
errors.
! Interpret with caution; based on 10 or fewer sample cases, or coefficient of variation is greater than 50%.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Appendix table 17
Standard errors for unadjusted rates of violent victimization, by type of crime and victim’s number of disability types,
2009–2011
Type of crime
Total
Serious violent crime
Rape/sexual assault
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault

Rate per 1,000 persons with one disability type
2009
2010
2011
2.6
2.2
1.8
1.4
1.3
1.1
0.5
0.3
0.3
0.9
0.7
0.6
0.8
0.7
0.8
2.0
1.8
1.4

Rate per 1,000 persons with multiple disability types
2009
2010
2011
2.2
2.3
2.2
1.1
1.4
1.4
0.3
0.3
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.8
0.9
0.9
1.8
1.8
1.6

Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008–2011, and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008–2010.

Crime Against Persons with Disabilities, 2009 - 2011 – Statistical Tables | December 2012

•

The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical agency of the U.S. Department
of Justice. James P. Lynch is director.
This report was prepared and data were analyzed by Erika Harrell, Ph.D.
Jennifer Truman, Ph.D. verified the report.
Vanessa Curto and Jill Thomas edited the report, and Barbara Quinn produced
the report under the supervision of Doris J. James.
December, NCJ 240299

NCJ237961
Office of Justice Programs
Innovation • Partnerships • Safer Neighborhoods
www.ojp.usdoj.gov