❓ Hon. Helen Bullock asks about increased assaults against seniors and sentencing. The Attorney General acknowledges the increase but notes WA's rate is lower than other states and highlights existing legislation for aggravated offences against seniors.
AnsweredQoN 540Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SENIORS — ASSAULTS
540. Hon HELEN BULLOCK to the Attorney General:
I refer to recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics
figures that indicate that assaults against seniors have risen 48.5 per cent
between 2007 and 2011.
(1) Has the
Attorney General or his predecessor examined the sentences imposed in these
cases over the period?
(2) If yes to
(1), what conclusions were reached and what actions does the Attorney General
intend to take in response to those conclusions?
(3) If no to
(1), why not?
540. Hon HELEN BULLOCK to the Attorney General:
I refer to recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics
figures that indicate that assaults against seniors have risen 48.5 per cent
between 2007 and 2011.
(1) Has the
Attorney General or his predecessor examined the sentences imposed in these
cases over the period?
(2) If yes to
(1), what conclusions were reached and what actions does the Attorney General
intend to take in response to those conclusions?
(3) If no to
(1), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1)–(3)
The over-65-years-of-age category is the second-lowest age category of persons
likely to experience assault. Comparison with other states on this measure is a
little limited, with only Victoria and New South Wales among the comparable
jurisdictions being reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Even so,
the rates of assault of persons aged 65-plus for both New South Wales and Victoria
are higher than for WA. The figures need to be considered in the context of a
gradually ageing population. ABS estimates indicate that in WA, as at June
2009, persons aged 65-plus numbered 265 891 and comprised 11.8 per cent of the
population. That number increased to 275 053 by June 2010 with the proportion
increased to 12 per cent. By June 2011 the number had increased to 285 221 and
comprised 12.1 per cent of the population. This means that, all other
influences being equal, it is anticipated that the number of persons aged
65-plus who will be victims of assaults is likely to continue to increase.
Nevertheless, the number will remain relatively very low.
To protect vulnerable groups such
as the elderly, one important legislative response has been to include in the
WA Criminal Code the capacity for courts to hand down more severe sentences to
the perpetrators of offences under part V of the act when they are committed
under circumstances of aggravation. One such circumstance of aggravation applies
when the victim is aged 60 years or more.
question.
(1)–(3)
The over-65-years-of-age category is the second-lowest age category of persons
likely to experience assault. Comparison with other states on this measure is a
little limited, with only Victoria and New South Wales among the comparable
jurisdictions being reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Even so,
the rates of assault of persons aged 65-plus for both New South Wales and Victoria
are higher than for WA. The figures need to be considered in the context of a
gradually ageing population. ABS estimates indicate that in WA, as at June
2009, persons aged 65-plus numbered 265 891 and comprised 11.8 per cent of the
population. That number increased to 275 053 by June 2010 with the proportion
increased to 12 per cent. By June 2011 the number had increased to 285 221 and
comprised 12.1 per cent of the population. This means that, all other
influences being equal, it is anticipated that the number of persons aged
65-plus who will be victims of assaults is likely to continue to increase.
Nevertheless, the number will remain relatively very low.
To protect vulnerable groups such
as the elderly, one important legislative response has been to include in the
WA Criminal Code the capacity for courts to hand down more severe sentences to
the perpetrators of offences under part V of the act when they are committed
under circumstances of aggravation. One such circumstance of aggravation applies
when the victim is aged 60 years or more.
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