Kidnapping rate of Australia fell gradually from 2.8 cases per 100,000 population in 2012 to 1.8 cases per 100,000 population in 2018.
In 2020, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) labelled New South Wales the Kidnapping Capital of Australia, reporting 225 victims, followed by Victoria with 158 and Queensland and South Australia 59 each; with very few in other States and Territories.
What are the odds of a child being kidnapped? The chances of a child getting kidnapped aren't as high as people may think. They are 1 in 300,000. However, abduction can increase if a child is of non-white ethnicity, a girl, or lives in a foster home.
Kidnapping rate - Country rankings
The average for 2017 based on 65 countries was 1.8 kidnappings per 100,000 people. The highest value was in Belgium: 10.3 kidnappings per 100,000 people and the lowest value was in Bermuda: 0 kidnappings per 100,000 people. The indicator is available from 2003 to 2017.
PENALTIES. As per section 81 of the Crimes Act 1900, kidnapping is a serious crime with potentially significant penalties. The basic offence of kidnapping attracts a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment, while kidnapping in circumstances of aggravation can attract a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
Australia, listed at number 84, had 456 kidnappings, but in 2018, the most reliable statistics to date at that time, had 5 times New Zealand's population. This, of course, does not refer to the worst countries for kidnapping. That belongs to Iraq, with approximately 1700 people kidnapped annually.
A Missing Person is defined as anyone whose whereabouts are unknown and there are genuine fears for the safely or concerns for the welfare of that person. It is important to remember that going missing is NOT a crime.
Children under the age of 6 are most frequently targeted for family abductions and these often occur in the midst of bitter divorce or child custody battles between parents.
The principal motives for kidnapping are to subject the victim to some form of involuntary servitude, to expose him to the commission of some further criminal act against his person, or to obtain ransom for his safe release.
According to studies, the chance of survival is around 90%. While the negotiation path will always be the safest, a successful release is determined by skilful negotiations. Our team of professional kidnap response consultants will support your effort to facilitate the safe release of your employees or loved ones.
Attempted abductions occur more often when a child is going to or from school or school-related activities. School-age children are at greatest risk on school days before and after school (7-9 a.m. and 3-4 p.m.) and after dinner time (6-7 p.m.)
About 38,000 missing persons reports are received by police each year across Australia. While most of those missing people are found within a short period of time, there are about 2,600 people who have been missing for more than three months.
In Australia, an estimated 20,000 children are reported missing every year. Australian Federal Police, National Coordination Centre.
There are currently about 2,600 long-term missing persons cases in Australia and experts estimate there are some 500 unidentified human remains archived around the country.
New Zealand is the top country by kidnapping rate in the world. As of 2018, kidnapping rate in New Zealand was 9.5 cases per 100,000 population.
Hostage and kidnap survivors can experience stress reactions including denial, impaired memory, shock, numbness, anxiety, guilt, depression, anger, and a sense of helplessness. Freedom almost always brings a sense of elation and relief.
New Mexico law enforcement reported 822 kidnappings and abductions to the FBI in 2021. That puts New Mexico at the top of the list regarding kidnappings and abductions per 100,000 people. Kansas, Colorado, and Utah also rank high on the list of kidnappings and abductions per population.
Almost all kids kidnapped by strangers are taken by men, and about two thirds of stranger abductions involve female children. Most abducted kids are in their teens.
Parent kidnappers
In nearly half of parental kidnappings, a court ruling obliged the parent to return the child, while 16% of cases were settled by mediation, and in 18% of cases parents voluntarily sent the child back. But in 15 cases (1.2%) the child was found dead.
How Do Children Go Missing? Many children go missing because a non-custodial family member has taken them away. The family member may not even perceive this as a kidnapping, but it legally is. Other children go missing because they have run away.
in crime and criminal justice
Each year, around 30,000 people are reported missing in Australia—one person every 18 minutes.
You can leave home at any age providing you have a safe place to go to. If you leave home and are considered to be in physical or moral danger then the Police or Department of Child Protection & Family Services may become involved.
Cleo Smith, a four-year-old Australian girl, was abducted on 16 October 2021 from a campsite in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia (WA). She was found alive and well on 3 November, after police raided the home of Terence Darrell Kelly in the nearby town of Carnarvon.