Number of suicide and homicide victims by age and gender, 1981-2009

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Working for Youth Justice and Safety

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Violent Crime Victimization

Q:	Do the number of suicide and homicide victims vary by sex?
A:	Far more males than females ages 12–16 were victims of suicide or murder between 1981–2009. However, for each gender, the number of suicides was about the same as the number of murders.

Number of suicide and homicide victims by age and gender, 1981-2009 (Male)

Number of suicide and homicide victims by age and gender, 1981-2009 (Female)

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Between 1981 and 2009, suicide was the third leading cause of death for males ages 7–17 and the fourth leading cause of death for females in that age group.
Both males and females ages 18–24 were far more likely to be a victim of homicide than a victim of suicide.
Between 1981 and 2009, 76% of all juvenile suicide victims were male, with the annual proportion remarkably stable over the period. Consequently, suicide trends were similar for juvenile males and females.
The method of suicide differed for males and females, with males more likely than females to use a firearm and less likely to use poison.

Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/victims/qa02702.asp?qaDate=2009. Released on March 05, 2012.

Data source: Office of Statistics and Programming, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC. (2012). WISQARS (Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System) [interactive database system]. Online. Available: http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html