EXPERT
COMMENT
Media and
Communications
Tel. +61 3 9925 3176
Fax +61 3 9662 2739
MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMAN’S BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
—
Expert comment on Victorian crime statistics —
Victoria Police statistics show the overall crime rate has dropped for the seventh
year running, though offences on public transport have risen while juvenile
offences and robberies also increased in the last financial year.
With the overall crime rate dropping, why do Victorians continue to have a high fear
of crime?
Are our fears justified, considering the increases in robberies and in assaults on
people aged over 60?
RMIT University lecturer Michael Benes is an expert on crime and justice.
Mr Benes has spent more than three decades working and researching in the field
of criminal justice, and has studied fear of crime in society.
He has been a policy advisor in juvenile justice and is the immediate past president
of the Australian Crime Prevention Council.
A lecturer in Criminal Justice, Mr Benes is available for comment on Victoria’s
crime statistics.
For interviews: RMIT University’s Michael Benes, 0412 568 330.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Media and Communications,
Gosia Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
19 August, 2008
NEWS 
