Using demographic risk factors to explain variations in the incidence of violence against women

This article offers statistical support for the contention that demographic risk factors influence the incidence of some women's experiencing violence more than others. Our results were generated using a binary probit model and 6,332 observations from the 1996 Australian Women's Safety Survey. For purposes of comparison, we identified a set of benchmark demographic characteristics as those occurring most frequently in the data set and estimated that if a woman were to have all of these characteristics, the probability she would have experienced violence in the past 12 months was 6.7%. We found that the risk varied with levels of postschool education, income, ethnic background, number and age of children, marital status, and age. Employment status, school-leaving age, and socioeconomic status had no statistically significant effect on the risk of experiencing violence once other factors were considered. This analysis may provide a basis for violence reduction and prevention programs

Characteristic features of pediatric firearm fatalities - Comparisons between Australia and the United States

© 2009 American Academy of Forensic SciencesGunshot deaths in children less than 17 years of age from Adelaide, SA, Australia (1969-2005) and from San Diego County, CA, United States (1988-2005) were compared. Forty-two pediatric gunshot fatalities occurred in South Australia (1.1 cases/year; M:F = 30:12). There were 6 accidents (14%), 14 suicides (33%), and 22 homicides (52%). In San Diego there were 185 cases (c.10 cases/year; M:F = 148:37). There were 6 accidents (3%), 42 suicides (23%), 130 homicides (70%), and 7 undetermined cases (4%). The incidence of homicide was significantly higher in San Diego County compared to Adelaide (p < 0.001), with a higher proportion of murder-suicides occurring in Adelaide. There were markedly more accidents and suicides involving males in Adelaide and a far higher number of male homicide victims in San Diego County compared to females. Rifles of 0.22-caliber were preferred weapons in South Australia, compared to handguns in San Diego County.Roger W. Byard, Elisabeth Haas, Drew T. Marshall, John D. Gilbert and Henry F. Krou