Carrying weapons and intent to harm among Victorian secondary school students in 1999 and 2009

Abstract

Objective: To examine comparable survey data across 10 years to assess whether rates of self-reported weapon carrying and intent to harm others have increased as suggested in reported trends in violent offences. Design, setting and participants: Population-based surveys administered to Victorian secondary school students in 1999 (8984 students) and 2009 (10 273 students) attending government, Catholic and independent schools. Main outcome measures: Student self-reports of carrying a weapon and attacking someone with the intent to harm in the past 12 months. Results: In both surveys, about 15.0% of students reported carrying a weapon and about 7.0% reported attacking someone with intent to ha..