SAFETY
Public and personal safety affects the way we socialize and participate in community life.
The Sound of Change
Safety
The Sound of Change
“The stories of transformation are profound. You should not be living a life in isolation,” states Denise Robertson, Executive Director of Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre. “Improving hearing can bring back the ability to fully participate in relationships and community activities. Plus, it reduces safety risks.”
Launched in 2016, the Sound of Change initiative provides low-income seniors and individuals with free refurbished hearing aids, aural rehabilitation, speech reading educational opportunities, technology, and batteries. The program ensures that all services and products are accessible to those in need, combatting the isolation often accompanying hearing loss. Supported by the Victoria Foundation for several years, the initiative has served nearly 1,000 clients and provided nearly
2,000 hearing aids, with a retail value of about $5.5 million.
National research data shows increasing numbers of younger individuals, 25% of those under 25, experience some form of hearing loss. The Sound of Change is unique, with no similar program in North America, and is committed to ongoing support and service to people of any age, making this program truly special.
SPONSORED BY
CREST
Vital signs citizen survey grade
C+Last year's grade was C+
Safety
Vital signs citizen survey grade
C+Sustainable Development Targets
Sustainable Development Targets
POLICE-REPORTED INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Police-reported intimate partner violence victims in Victoria CMA in 2022
931Total victims, 722Females, 204Males
Overall rate of 244 victims per 100,000 population, down from 2021 (274) and below the region’s 2019 rate (247), and lower than the rates for BC (293) and Canada (347) in 2022.
Rate of victims of police-reported intimate partner violence, by sex of victim, per 100,000 population, 2022
| Total | Female | Male | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 347 | 538 | 151 |
| BC | 293 | 453 | 127 |
| Victoria CMA | 244 | 366 | 110 |
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA
POLICE-REPORTED FAMILY VIOLENCE
Police-reported family violence victims in Victoria CMA in 2022
945Total victims, 628Females, 313Males
Overall rate of 223 victims per 100,000 population, down from 2021 (233) and below the region’s 2019 rate (225), and lower than the rates for BC (273) and Canada (338) in 2022.
Rate of victims of police-reported family violence, by sex of victim, per 100,000 population, 2022
| Total | Female | Male | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 338 | 456 | 216 |
| BC | 273 | 375 | 169 |
| Victoria CMA | 223 | 289 | 152 |
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA
For data by age of family violence victims, visit the Vital Victoria data hub at victoriafoundation.bc.ca/vital-victoria
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TARGETS
5.2: Eliminate violence against women and girls
16.1: Reduce all forms of violence and related deaths
OVERALL CRIME RATE
Criminal violations (Criminal Code and Federal Statute violations) per 100,000 population in 2023
6155Victoria CMA up from 6,103 in 2022
7986British Columbia
6302Canada
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA
VIOLENT CRIME
Violent crimes per 100,000 population in 2023
1451Victoria CMA down from 1,466 in 2022
1562British Columbia
1428Canada
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA
SEXUAL ASSAULTS
Sexual assaults (level 1, 2 and 3) per 100,000 population in 2023
73Victoria CMA down from 104 in 2022
81British Columbia
91Canada
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA
YOUTH CRIME
Youth, aged 12-17 years, charged with criminal violations per 100,000 youth population in 2023
894Victoria CMA up from 794 in 2022
779British Columbia
1388Canada
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA
WORKPLACE SAFETY
Claims in the capital region in 2022
5425CLAIMS FOR SHORT-TERM DISABILITY, LONG-TERM DISABILITY, AND WORK-RELATED DEATH
8% of all claims in BC
Province-wide in 2022
150370Reported injuries
57780Short-term disability claims
181Work related death claims
Almost 4 million days of work were missed due to work-related incidents and diseases.
SOURCE: WORKSAFEBC
COMMUNITY IN FOCUS
WORKING TOWARD A SAFER COMMUNITY
The Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria is developing a new Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan. The plan aims to ensure all residents feel safe, have a sense of belonging, and can meet their needs for education, healthcare, food, housing, income, and social and cultural expression.
Phase one includes community-based research and engagement overseen by an advisory committee comprised of individuals that experience marginalization, criminalization, and racial inequity, as well as the organizations and service providers who work with them. The group will share best practices, identify safety and wellbeing priorities, and review research data.
Phase two will engage the broader community through solution-oriented collaborative sessions, with a focus on additional safety and wellbeing topics.
SOURCE: COMMUNITY SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF GREATER VICTORIA
Learning