Sask. violent crime rates highest among provinces, youth have highest rate of victimization: StatsCan

Saskatchewan hadthe highest rate among Canadian provinces ofpeoplewho were hurt or died as a result of violent crime in 2016, according to newly released Statistics Canada data.

The problem is particularly concerning for young people, according to areport issued by Statistics Canada on Wednesday.

There were a total of 20,904 victims of violent crime and criminal traffic offences causing death or bodily harm reported by Saskatchewan police in 2016, according to the agency.

That translatesto 1,840 victims per 100,000 population the highest rate among the provinces, according to the report.

Therate of victimization in the province was highestamongpeople aged 16 to 24, when controlling for population.

But even when they're victims of crime, some at-risk youth don't see themselves that way, says the founder of an organization that works with at-risk young people.

That's because they areoften perpetrators,said Kim Sutherland, who foundedRegina'sStreet Culture ProjectInc. 22 years ago.

So when they become victims, "They would simply accept it as part of the sort of 'what's in the cards' or 'the luck of the draw,'" he said.

Sutherlandsaidhe wasn't surprised by the latest Statistics Canada numbers.

"Sadly, we haven't even got our tsunami yet. It's still coming.The crime rates are going to continue to increase," he said, adding he thinks supports are lacking to break the cycles that lead to at-risk youth committing crime.

"There's not a long-term plan in place. There's no architectural design in our community of linking all of the services toward along-term plan."

Crime is not an isolated issue, so factors like mental health, addictions, housing and family violence must be considered to address the problem, Sutherland said.

What taxpayers want to see is that thousands of kids went through a six-week anger management class as though that would make a differenceand it doesn't. It makes absolutely no difference.- Kim Sutherland, Street Culture ProjectInc.

At-risk youth requiresupport over several years, he said, adding that allows the root of the problem to be addressed while helping young people remain in a stable environment.

Sutherlandwants others to take note from what he's learned from the success ofStreet Culture Project programs.

"What was lacking in these kids' lives was not a basketball program or a basket-weaving program. What was lacking in these kids' lives was a significant, healthy adult who would walk them through processes of maturity."

However, he's not confident people are ready to commit to long-term solutions.

"What taxpayers want to see is that thousands of kids went through a six-week anger management class as though that would make a differenceand it doesn't. It makes absolutely no difference."

75% of crimes were assaults

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice hasprograms for children exposed to violence in eight communities, according to its website.

The goal of the programs is to prevent them from becoming future victims or perpetrators.

"It gives them that safe space to speak and to be heard," said Sarah Gara, who is a counsellor with Family Service Saskatoon and works with the youth program.

They work with 12- to 18-year olds for a range of reasons, including domestic violence or bullying, as well as any depression, anxiety or stress that may result from the primary problem.

Statistics Canada's report said in 2016, three-quarters of police-reported crimes were assaults the highest percentage amongprovinces. In Saskatchewan,the rates of reported assault were highest among young adults, the report says.

Furthermore, the rates of police-reported sexual assault were also highest for 16 and 17 year olds.

According to Statistics Canada, police-based victim services programs in Saskatchewan assisted 11,933 direct victims of crime in 2016. Children and youth accounted for 14 per cent of that number.

Garasaid she is aware of Saskatchewan's high rates of violence. She said that's why it's important toeducate young people about healthy relationships through communitypresentations.