The World's Most Violent Countries

[JohnRich 4]

In the news:

A UNITED Nations report has labelled Scotland the most violent country in the developed world, with people three times more likely to be assaulted than in America.

England and Wales recorded the second highest number of violent assaults...

The study, by the UN’s crime research institute, found that 3 per cent of Scots had been victims of assault compared with 1.2 per cent in America and just 0.1 per cent in Japan, 0.2 per cent in Italy and 0.8 per cent in Austria. In England and Wales the figure was 2.8 per cent.

Scotland was eighth for total crime, 13th for property crime, 12th for robbery and 14th for sexual assault. New Zealand had the most property crimes and sexual assaults, while Poland had the most robberies.

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1786945,00.html

But, I thought America with all their g-g-guns would be the most violent!

[quade 4]

It would be interesting to see the actual report as opposed to this heavily localized news report.

Got a link?

Also, "violent" and "assault" aren't really defined in the news report. If I'm punched in the face I'd classify that as both violent and an assault, but getting punched in the face usually isn't anywhere nearly as "violent" as getting shot in the face with a gun.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[kelpdiver 2]

disappointed that the US lost?

It's pretty clear that those in the UK suffer more from 'minor crime,' less from 'major crime,' and have little means of protecting themselves from either. Probably better to be in that camp, but not if you're in the victim group.

[markd_nscr986 0]

So much for stringent gun control laws.........

Maybe they should pass some knife control laws too

Marc SCR 6046 SCS 3004

[jakee 1,610]

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So much for stringent gun control laws.........

Maybe they should pass some knife control laws too

In Scotland? Definitely.

Have you seen Trainspotting? I wouldn't trust those bastards with a wooden spoon.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[Frenchy68 0]

My experience from having lived for many years in France and in the US:

1/ I am more likely to be assaulted or victim of a non-lethal crime in France than in the US.
2/ I am more likely to be killed or badly maimed in the US than I am in France.
These are based on my personnal experience (well, not the killed part...), nothing scientific about it.

"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

[waltappel 1]

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Have you seen Trainspotting? I wouldn't trust those bastards with a wooden spoon.

One of the all-time funniest movies I have ever seen!!!

Walt

[popsjumper 2]

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But, I thought America with all their g-g-guns would be the most violent!

I'm disappointed...I am totally amazed that Detroit and/or Chicago didn't top that list, never mind the rest of the U.S.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[BillyVance 35]

Well, those Scots have a mean temper... Don't piss them off unless you can outrun them!

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[polarglitch 0]

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In the news:

A UNITED Nations report has labelled Scotland the most violent country in the developed world, with people three times more likely to be assaulted than in America.

England and Wales recorded the second highest number of violent assaults...

The study, by the UN’s crime research institute, found that 3 per cent of Scots had been victims of assault compared with 1.2 per cent in America and just 0.1 per cent in Japan, 0.2 per cent in Italy and 0.8 per cent in Austria. In England and Wales the figure was 2.8 per cent.

Scotland was eighth for total crime, 13th for property crime, 12th for robbery and 14th for sexual assault. New Zealand had the most property crimes and sexual assaults, while Poland had the most robberies.

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1786945,00.html

But, I thought America with all their g-g-guns would be the most violent!

hmm percentages dont really tell the entire story. 1.2 percent of america translates to more people than 3 percent in scotland. statistics can mean nothing if wrong considerations are used.

When you come close to losing your life, you learn to value it.
I jumped, I survived, I learnt.

[mr2mk1g 10]

hehe, whod'a thunk it - Scots a violent. I thought I'd put up the counterpoint too since I heard it on the radio this morning: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1959952005 Apparently the Cheif Counstable questions the results because they're based on old data and phone calls.

I'm surprised he's not questioning it based on the fact that the same survey also shows Northern Ireland to have the lowest crime rate in the world. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1487052/posts

[lawrocket 3]

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Also, "violent" and "assault" aren't really defined in the news report. If I'm punched in the face I'd classify that as both violent and an assault, but getting punched in the face usually isn't anywhere nearly as "violent" as getting shot in the face with a gun.

Paul - what's the difference? If "assault" means getting shot, then a greater percentage of people in Scotland are getting shot. If "assault" means a punch to the face then a greater percentage of people in Scotland are getting punched in the face,

Sure, getting punched in the face isn't as violent as getting shot in the face, but both are still acts of violence.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[kallend 2,175]

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Also, "violent" and "assault" aren't really defined in the news report. If I'm punched in the face I'd classify that as both violent and an assault, but getting punched in the face usually isn't anywhere nearly as "violent" as getting shot in the face with a gun.

Paul - what's the difference? If "assault" means getting shot, then a greater percentage of people in Scotland are getting shot. If "assault" means a punch to the face then a greater percentage of people in Scotland are getting punched in the face,

Sure, getting punched in the face isn't as violent as getting shot in the face, but both are still acts of violence.

We have legal sports that involve punching/hitting others. I'm not aware that shooting others is ever considered a good and sporting thing.

On the whole, I'd prefer to take a punch to the face than a bullet to the face.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[popsjumper 2]

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...percentages dont really tell the entire story. 1.2 percent of america translates to more people than 3 percent in scotland. statistics can mean nothing if wrong considerations are used.

Interpolating(or extrapolationg - I forget whicch is which) your numbers...
I'd rather be in 40% violent USA than 100% violent Scotland....

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[Darius11 12]

I knew that just by watching The Simpson’s

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[crozby 0]

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I'm surprised he's not questioning it based on the fact that the same survey also shows Northern Ireland to have the lowest crime rate in the world.

But that just reinforces Johns argument: the more guns everyone has, the less crime there is.

No doubt the crime rate in Ireland will soar if that terrorist organisation called the IRA ever gets around to decomissioning all those weapons it got from the good ol' USofA.

[mr2mk1g 10]

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Paul - what's the difference? If "assault" means getting shot, then a greater percentage of people in Scotland are getting shot. If "assault" means a punch to the face then a greater percentage of people in Scotland are getting punched in the face,

It could actually make a huge difference given that this is based on telephone conversations with people all over the world each speaking different languages.

If you say "assault" to a Scotsman they might well think you're asking them about how often they have been put in fear of the immediate application of unlawful force.

What about if you say "wTypm" to a Russian? "aanval" to a Dutchman? or "angriff" to a German? What kind of interaction do they imagine you are asking them about?

Different cultures and more importantly different languages are going to have very different interpretations of the meaning of "assault" or even of the term "violent crime". Unless a survey like this is done very carefully there could indeed be massive variation in the results simply due to linguistic differences alone.

[kallend 2,175]

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Paul - what's the difference? If "assault" means getting shot, then a greater percentage of people in Scotland are getting shot. If "assault" means a punch to the face then a greater percentage of people in Scotland are getting punched in the face,

It could actually make a huge difference given that this is based on telephone conversations with people all over the world each speaking different languages.

If you say "assault" to a Scotsman they might well think you're asking them about how often they have been put in fear of the immediate application of unlawful force.

What about if you say "штурм" to a Russian? "aanval" to a Dutchman? or "angriff" to a German? What kind of interaction do they imagine you are asking them about?

Different cultures and more importantly different languages are going to have very different interpretations of the meaning of "assault" or even of the term "violent crime". Unless a survey like this is done very carefully there could indeed be massive variation in the results simply due to linguistic differences alone.

There's no ambiguity about death, and murder is definitely violent, and rarely goes unreported. So the best comparison would be by murder rates.

2000 rates per 100,000 population
50.14 South Africa
21.40 Russia (1999)
10.00 Lithuania
_9.94 Estonia
_6.22 Latvia
_5.64 U.S.A.
_2.94 Spain
_2.86 Finland
_2.84 Northern Ireland
_2.72 Czech Republic
_2.65 Slovakia
_2.58 New Zealand
_2.50 Romania
_2.31 Turkey (1999)
_2.23 Poland
_2.11 Scotland
_2.04 Hungary
_1.97 Sweden
_1.81 Australia
_1.79 France
_1.76 Canada
_1.61 England & Wales

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[rehmwa 2]

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hmm percentages dont really tell the entire story. 1.2 percent of america translates to more people than 3 percent in scotland. statistics can mean nothing if wrong considerations are used.

This statement just means you think the largest populated areas are the most violent. Not a great consideration to use as an example to your argument. So if China had 10 violent acts last month, and Andorra had 9, China, by your logic, is more violent.

Statistical experts all over the world either just laughed or threw up.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[polarglitch 0]

im just saying u cant look at a number and go oh yeah. you have to know how the survey was conducted and what factors were considered in deciding the numbers.
yes i did use a poor example to illustrate my point. i take the flames for that.

When you come close to losing your life, you learn to value it.
I jumped, I survived, I learnt.

[Gravitymaster 0]

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We have legal sports that involve punching/hitting others. I'm not aware that shooting others is ever considered a good and sporting thing.

On the whole, I'd prefer to take a punch to the face than a bullet to the face.

Why do you suppose paintball is so popular?

[kallend 2,175]

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We have legal sports that involve punching/hitting others. I'm not aware that shooting others is ever considered a good and sporting thing.

On the whole, I'd prefer to take a punch to the face than a bullet to the face.

Why do you suppose paintball is so popular?

Cissy stuff. Don't even use real bullets.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[JohnRich 4]

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It would be interesting to see the actual report as opposed to this heavily localized news report. Got a link?

I agree. I looked for the original report, and couldn't find it.

Umm, try this: UNICRI

I haven't had the time to look at the details yet, but this may be the source for the story.

[JohnRich 4]

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So much for stringent gun control laws......... Maybe they should pass some knife control laws too

They're working on that. Along with BB-gun control laws, and non-firing replica gun control laws. Pretty soon they'll be registering kitchen butter knives.

When they've got the butter knives, by gosh, then this criminal violence will come to an end!

[JohnRich 4]

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percentages dont really tell the entire story. 1.2 percent of america translates to more people than 3 percent in scotland. statistics can mean nothing if wrong considerations are used.

Those were compartive percentages per capita. In other words, they've equalized the stats to account for population differences.

Yeah, since America has 5 times the population of England, our 1.2 percent equals more victims than England's 2.8 percent. But that doesn't change the fact that your odds of being a victim of violent crime in England is twice that of the U.S.