Overall, the percentage of students ages 12-18 reporting nonfatal victimization declined between 1995 and 2003; however, no difference was detected between the percentage of students victimized in the most recent survey years, 2001 and 2003.

The most frequently occurring type of nonfatal crime in the United States is theft, though violent crime continues to be of importance in examining school safety (U.S. Department of Justice 2000). Data from the School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey show an overall decrease in the percentage of students reporting nonfatal victimization between 1995 and 2003; however, no difference was detected between the percentage of students victimized in the most recent survey years, 2001 and 2003 (figure 3.1 and table 3.1). This pattern held true for total victimization rates, as well as the percentage of students who reported theft, violent victimization, and serious violent victimization. In 1995, 10 percent of students ages 12-18 reported being victims of nonfatal crimes at school: 7 percent reported theft and 3 percent reported a violent incident; while in 2003, 5 percent of students reported being victims of nonfatal crimes, 4 percent reported theft, and 1 percent reported a violent incident.

In 2003, victimization rates varied according to student characteristics. Male students were more likely than female students to report being the victim of a violent crime at school (2 vs. 1 percent) but no difference was detected in their likelihood of reporting theft (4 percent for both). In 2003, students in urban schools were more likely than their rural school counterparts to report being victims of violent crime (2 vs. 1 percent). Nonetheless, less than 3 percent of students reported being a victim of violent crime in 2003-regardless of students' characteristic.

This indicator has been updated to include 2003 data.