March 2011 ncj 233231

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

Bureau of Justice Statistics

BJS

Special Report

I

n 2009, approximately 572,000 nonfatal violent crimes 

(rape/sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated and 

simple assault) occurred against persons age 16 or 

older while they were at work or on duty, based on findings 

from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). 

This accounted for about 24% of nonfatal violence against 

employed persons age 16 or older. Nonfatal violence in 

the workplace was about 15% of all nonfatal violent crime 

against persons age 16 or older. 

The rate of violent crime against employed persons has 

declined since 1993. In 2009, an estimated 4 violent crimes 

per 1,000 employed persons age 16 or older were committed 

while the victims were at work or on duty, compared to 6 

violent crimes per 1,000 employed persons age 16 or older 

in 2002. In 1993, the rate of nonfatal violence was 16 violent 

crimes per 1,000 employed persons while at work, a rate 75% 

higher than in 2009 (figure 1). 

According to 2009 preliminary data, 521 persons age 16 

or older were victims of homicide in the workplace. In 

about a third of workplace homicides from 2005-2009, the 

victim worked in a sales or office occupation. The data on 

homicides in this report are based on the Bureau of Labor 

Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).

by Erika Harrell, Ph.D., BJS Statistician

Highlights

 From 2002 to 2009, the rate of nonfatal workplace violence 

has declined by 35%, following a 62% decline in the rate 

from 1993 to 2002.

 The average annual rate of workplace violence between 

2005 and 2009 (5 violent crimes per 1,000 employed 

persons age 16 or older) was about one-third the rate 

of nonworkplace violence (16 violent crimes per 1,000 

employed persons age 16 or older) and violence against 

persons not employed (17 violent crimes per 1,000 persons 

age 16 or older).

 Between 2005 and 2009, law enforcement officers, security 

guards, and bartenders had the highest rates of nonfatal 

workplace violence.

 Strangers committed the greatest proportion of nonfatal 

workplace violence against males (53%) and females (41%) 

between 2005 and 2009.

 Among workplace homicides that occurred between 2005 

and 2009, about 28% involved victims in sales and related 

occupations and about 17% involved victims in protective 

service occupations.

 About 70% of workplace homicides were committed 

by robbers and other assailants while about 21% were 

committed by work associates between 2005 and 2009.

 Between 2005 and 2009, while firearms were used in 5% of 

nonfatal workplace violence, shootings accounted for 80% 

of workplace homicides.

Workplace Violence, 

1993-2009

National Crime Victimization S urvey and the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

0

10

20

30

40

50

19951993 2000 2005 2009

Rate per 1,000 persons age 16 or older

Nonworkplace violence

Violence against persons not employed

Workplace violence 

Figure 1

Workplace and nonworkplace nonfatal violence against 

employed and persons not employed age 16 or older, 

1993–2009

Note: See page 2 for definition of terms. Data from 2006 not included. See Methodology.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
2 workplace violence, 1993-2009

This report provides an overview of fatal and nonfatal 

violence in the workplace. It discusses differences in 

workplace violence among various occupations. It includes 

trend information and discusses victim demographics 

and crime characteristics such as victim injury and police 

notification. It also includes comparisons to violence outside 

of the workplace against employed persons and violence 

against persons not employed.

Workplace violence declined more rapidly than 

nonworkplace violence from 1993 to 2009

The 2009 rate of workplace violence (4 violent crimes per 

1,000 employed persons age 16 or older) was 35% lower 

than the 2002 rate of workplace violence (6 violent crimes 

per 1,000). The 2009 rate of nonworkplace violence was 37% 

lower than the 2002 nonworkplace violence rate. There was 

no statistically significant difference detected in the 2002 

and 2009 rates of violence against persons not employed. 

From 1993 to 2002, the rate of workplace violence declined 

by 62%. In comparison, the rate of nonworkplace violence 

was 51% lower in 2002 than in 1993 and the rate of violence 

against persons not employed was 47% lower in 2002 than in 

1993. 

Workplace violence declined more rapidly for males 

than females from 1993 to 2009

The 2009 workplace violence rate for males was 29% lower 

than the 2002 rate (figure 2). The rate for females in 2009 

was 43% lower than their 2002 rate. The rate of workplace 

violence against males was 69% lower in 2002 than in 

1993. In comparison, the rate of workplace violence against 

females was 48% lower in 2002 than in 1993. There was no 

statistically significant difference detected in the 2002 or 

2009 rates of workplace violence for males and females. 

Definition of terms

Workplace—Place where an employed person is working 

or on duty.

Workplace violence—Nonfatal violence (rape/sexual 

assault, robbery, and aggravated and simple assault) 

against employed persons age 16 or older that occurred 

while they were at work or on duty. 

Nonworkplace violence—Nonfatal violence (rape/sexual 

assault, robbery, and aggravated and simple assault) 

against employed persons age 16 or older that occurred 

while they were not at work or on duty.

Violence against persons not employed—Nonfatal 

violence (rape/sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated and 

simple assault) against persons age 16 or older who did 

not have a job at the time of the crime. 

Workplace homicide—Homicide of employed victims 

age 16 or older who were killed while at work or on duty. 

Excludes death by accident.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey and Census 

of Fatal Occupational Injuries.

0

5

10

15

20

Female

Male

19951993 2000 2005 2009

Rate per 1,000 employed persons age 16 or older

Figure 2

Workplace violence, by sex, 1993–2009

Note: Excludes 2006 data. See Methodology.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

0

5

10

15

20

19951993 2000 2005 2009

Rate per 1,000 employed persons age 16 or older

Hispanic

Black

White

Figure 3

Workplace violence rates, by race/ethnicity, 1993–2009

Note: White and black do not include persons of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic includes 

all racial groups. Excludes 2006 data. See Methodology.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
March 2011 3

The 2009 workplace violence rate was 33% lower than the 

2002 rate for whites (figure 3). The 2009 workplace violence 

rate against blacks was 63% lower than the 2002 rate for 

blacks. Workplace violence rates against whites, blacks, and 

Hispanics were at least 60% lower in 2002 than in 1993. 

Workplace violence occurred at a lower rate than both 

nonworkplace violence and violence against persons 

not employed

From 2005 through 2009, the average annual rate of 

violent victimization in the workplace against employed 

persons age 16 or older was about 5 violent crimes per 

1,000 persons (table 1). In comparison, the average annual 

rate of nonworkplace violence was about 16 violent crimes 

per 1,000 employed persons ages 16 or older. The average 

annual rate of violence against persons not employed was 

about 17 violent crimes per 1,000 ages 16 or older. For each 

type of nonfatal violent crime examined, rates of workplace 

violence were lower than rates of nonworkplace violence for 

employed people and violence against persons not employed.

Workplace violence was less likely to include serious 

violence (rape/sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated 

assault) than nonworkplace violence and violence against 

persons not employed. About a fifth of workplace violence 

from 2005 through 2009 consisted of serious violent 

crime, compared to almost two-fifths of nonworkplace 

violence and violence against persons not employed. The 

percentage of robbery in the workplace (3%) was a fourth 

the percentage for nonworkplace violence and violence 

against persons not employed. Simple assault accounted for 

almost 80% of workplace violence while it constituted about 

61% of violence against persons not employed and 62% of 

nonworkplace violence. 

Table 1

Workplace and nonworkplace violence and violence against persons not employed, by type of crime, 2005–2009

Average annual rate of violence per 1,000 persons 

age 16 or older in— Percent of nonfatal violence in—

Type of crime Workplacea Nonworkplaceb Not employedc Workplacea Nonworkplaceb Not employedc

Total 5.1 16.4 16.6 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Serious violent crime 1.1 6.3 6.5 22.2 38.5 38.8

Rape/sexual assault 0.1 0.6 1.0 2.3 3.8 6.0

Robbery 0.2 2.3 2.2 3.1 14.0 13.3

Aggravated assault 0.9 3.4 3.2 16.8 20.7 19.4

Simple assault 4.0 10.1 10.2 77.8 61.5 61.2

Note: Serious violent crime includes rape/sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault. Details do not sum to total due to rounding. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology. aWorkplace violence occurs against an employed person age 16 or older while at work or on duty.

bNonworkplace violence occurs against an employed person age 16 or older while not at work or on duty.

cViolence against persons not employed occurs against a person age 16 or older who did not have a job at the time of the crime.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
4 workplace violence, 1993-2009

From 2005 through 2009 persons working in law 

enforcement experienced about 19% of workplace 

violence while accounting for 2% of employed persons

Among the occupations measured, persons in law 

enforcement experienced the highest proportion (19%)

of workplace violence (table 2). Persons in retail sales 

occupations experienced about 13% of workplace violence 

while accounting for about 9% of employed persons. About 

10% of victims of workplace violence worked in medical 

occupations. 

Law enforcement officers, security guards, and 

bartenders had the highest rate of workplace violence

From 2005 through 2009, of the occupational groups 

examined, law enforcement occupations had the highest 

average annual rate of workplace violence (48 violent crimes 

per 1,000 employed persons age 16 or older), followed 

by mental health occupations (21 per 1,000). Among 

the individual occupations examined, no occupation 

had workplace violence rates higher than those for law 

enforcement officers, security guards, and bartenders. 

Table 2

Workplace and nonworkplace violence, by occupation, 2005–2009

Occupation

Rate of workplace violence 

per 1,000 employed persons 

age 16 or older 

Nonworkplace violence 

rate per 1,000 employed 

persons age 16 or older 

Percentage of 

workplace violence 

Percentage of 

employed population 

age 16 or older

Total 5.1 16.4 100.0% 100.0%

Medical 6.5 15.0 10.2% 8.2%

Physician 10.1 7.7* 1.1 0.6

Nurse 8.1 13.8 3.9 2.5

Technician 11.1 12.2 2.3 1.1

Other/medical occupations 3.7 17.5 2.9 4.1

Mental health 20.5 17.2 3.9% 1.0%

Professional 17.0 12.8 1.4 0.4

Custodial care 37.6* 4.4* 0.7* 0.1

Other mental health occupations 20.3 24.1 1.8 0.5

Teaching 6.5 8.8 9.0% 7.2%

Preschool 0.9* 9.8 0.1* 0.5

Elementary 4.3 4.7 1.5 1.9

Jr. high/middle 8.6 5.0* 1.3 0.8

High school 13.5 7.4 2.6 1.0

College/university 1.9* 14.1 0.7* 1.9

Technical /industrial school 54.9* --* 0.7* 0.1

Special education facility 17.8* 8.0* 0.5* 0.2

Other teaching occupations 8.9 11.4 1.6 0.9

Law enforcement 47.7 13.7 18.9% 2.1%

Law enforcement officer 77.8 3.5* 9.1 0.6

Corrections officer 33.0 13.0* 1.8 0.3

Security guard 65.0 23.1 5.6 0.5

Other law enforcement occupations 17.5 16.7 2.4 0.7

Retail sales 7.7 24.3 13.2% 9.0%

Convenience or liquor store clerk 7.1* 25.1 0.7* 0.5

Gas station attendant 30.2* 25.9* 0.8* 0.1

Bartender 79.9 38.7* 1.9 0.1

Other retail sales occupations 6.3 24.0 9.8 8.2

Transportation 12.2 12.9 7.4% 3.2%

Bus driver 10.0* 3.1* 0.6* 0.3

Taxi cab driver 9.0* 33.3* 0.2* 0.1

Other transportation occupations 12.6 13.4 6.6 2.7

Other/unspecified 2.8 16.6 37.3% 69.3%

Note: The National Crime Victimization Survey and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries use different categories of occupations. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology.

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases. 

 --Less than 0.05.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
March 2011 5

Bartenders (80 per 1,000) had the highest workplace 

violence rate of all retail sales occupations. Persons working 

in all mental health occupations had a similar rate of 

workplace violence. Among teaching occupations, no 

occupation had a higher rate of workplace violence than 

persons working in technical or industrial schools. All 

transportation occupations had a similar rate of workplace 

violence.

Persons working in custodial care, technical/industrial 

schools, and law enforcement had higher rates of 

workplace violence than nonworkplace violence

The rate of workplace violence was greater than the rate of 

nonworkplace violence for several occupations examined. 

For persons in custodial care occupations, workers in 

technical/industrial schools, law enforcement officers, 

corrections officers, and security guards, the rate of 

workplace violence was higher than the rate of nonworkplace 

violence. For nurses and persons working in preschools and 

colleges/universities, and convenience store/liquor store 

clerks, the rate of workplace violence was lower than the rate 

of violence outside of the workplace. 

No occupational group had a higher rate of nonworkplace 

violence than retail sales occupations. All retail sales 

occupations had an equal rate of nonworkplace violence. 

While law enforcement officers and security guards were 

among the occupations with the highest rate of workplace 

violence, these occupations did not have the highest rate of 

nonworkplace violence among the examined occupations. 

For all gender and racial groups examined, the rate 

of workplace violence was lower than the rate of 

nonworkplace violence 

From 2005 through 2009, males had a higher rate 

of workplace violence and a slightly higher rate of 

nonworkplace violence than females (table 3). Whites had a 

higher rate of workplace violence than blacks, while blacks 

had a higher rate of nonworkplace violence than whites. 

There was no statistically significant difference between 

whites and American Indians in the rate of workplace 

violence. Hispanics were similar to blacks and Asians 

in their rates of workplace violence. Asians were the least 

likely of all racial/ethnic groups examined to experience 

nonworkplace violence.

Among employed persons, those ages 20 to 34 had the 

highest rate of workplace violence while persons ages 16 to 

19 had the highest rate of nonworkplace violence. Persons 

who had never married had a higher rate of workplace 

violence than those who were married and the same rate 

as persons who were widowed, divorced, or separated. 

Persons in households with annual incomes of $50,000 to 

$74,999 had similar rates of workplace violence as persons 

in households with annual incomes of $7,500 to $14,999. 

Individuals in households with lower annual incomes had 

a higher rate of nonworkplace violence than individuals in 

households with higher annual incomes.

Table 3

Rate of workplace and nonworkplace violence, by sex, race/

Hispanic origin, age, marital status, and annual household 

income, 2005–2009

Rate of nonfatal violence per 1,000 employed 

persons age 16 or older in—

Victim characteristic Workplace Nonworkplace

Total 5.1 16.4

Sex

Male 5.9 17.2

Female 4.1 15.5

Race/Hispanic origin

Whitea 5.7 15.3

Black/African Americana 4.1 20.4

Hispanic/Latinob 3.0 18.0

American Indiana 13.0 33.9

Asian/Pacific Islandera 3.6 8.2

Two or more racesa 7.8 60.3

Age

16-19 years old 3.2 46.9

20-24 6.9 36.0

25-34 6.9 19.5

35-49 4.9 12.4

50-64 3.9 7.4

65 or older 1.7 3.0

Marital status

Never married 6.2 29.3

Married 4.3 7.2

Widowed 5.1 7.6

Divorced or separated 6.4 29.2

Annual household income

Less than $7,500 2.8* 55.7

$7,500 to $14,999 7.2 39.8

$15,000 to $24,999 6.2 26.2

$25,000 to $34,999 5.2 23.1

$35,000 to $49,999 4.9 17.5

$50,000 to $74,999 7.0 11.6

$75,000 or more 4.4 9.8

Unknown 4.3 15.8

Note. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology.

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

aExcludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.

bIncludes all racial groups.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
6 workplace violence, 1993-2009

From 2005 through 2009 victims of workplace violence 

had a higher percentage of males, whites, married 

persons, and persons in households with larger annual 

incomes than victims of nonworkplace violence

Males accounted for about 63% of victims of workplace 

violence and 57% of victims of nonworkplace violence 

(table 4). Whites made up a larger percentage of workplace 

violence victims (78%) than nonworkplace violence victims 

(66%). Both blacks and Hispanics accounted for smaller 

percentages of victims of workplace violence (9% black, 

8% Hispanic) than victims of nonworkplace violence (13% 

black, 15% Hispanic).

Workplace violence had a larger proportion of older victims 

than nonworkplace violence. About 54% of workplace 

violence victims were ages 35 or older while 39% of 

nonworkplace violence victims were of similar ages. About 

17% of workplace violence victims were ages 16 to 24 while 

about 36% of nonworkplace violence victims fell into this 

age category.

About 35% of victims of workplace violence had never 

married, compared to about 52% of victims of nonworkplace 

violence. Married persons accounted for about 47% of 

workplace violence victims and about 25% of nonworkplace 

violence victims. About 46% of victims of workplace 

violence were in households with annual incomes of at least 

$50,000, compared to about 28% of victims of nonworkplace 

violence.

Strangers committed the greatest proportion of 

workplace violence

From 2005 through 2009, strangers committed about 53% 

of workplace violence against males and about 41% against 

females (table 5). Similar proportions of males and females 

were victims of intimate partner violence in the workplace. 

About a quarter (26%) of workplace violence against males 

and about a third against females were committed by 

someone with whom the victim had a work relationship.1

Among the work relationships examined, coworkers were 

the most likely to attack persons in the workplace. Current 

or former coworkers committed 16% of workplace violence 

against males and about 14% against females. Patients 

committed a higher percentage of workplace violence against 

females than males. 

Table 4

Percent of workplace and nonworkplace violence and 

employed persons, by sex, race/Hispanic origin, age, marital 

status and annual household income, 2005–2009

Percent of nonfatal violence 

victims Percent of employed 

persons age 16 or 

Victim characteristic Workplace Nonworkplace older

Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Sex

Male 62.9% 56.7% 54.1%

Female 37.1 43.3 45.9

Race/Hispanic origin

Whitea 77.9% 65.5% 70.0%

Black/African Americana 8.7 13.4 10.8

Hispanic/Latinob 7.8 14.8 13.5

American Indiana 1.3 1.0 0.5

Asian/Pacific Islandera 3.1 2.2 4.4

Two or more racesa 1.3 3.0 0.8

Age

16-19 years old 3.0% 13.7% 4.8%

20-24 13.7 22.1 10.1

25-34 29.3 25.8 21.7

35-49 34.0 26.8 35.4

50-64 18.8 10.9 24.3

65 or older 1.3 0.7 3.8

Marital status

Never married 35.0% 51.7% 29.0%

Married 47.2 24.8 56.4

Widowed 1.8 0.9 1.9

Divorced or separated 16.0 22.6 12.7

Annual household income

Less than $7,500 1.0%* 6.2% 1.8%

$7,500 to $14,999 4.4 7.5 3.1

$15,000 to $24,999 7.8 10.2 6.4

$25,000 to $34,999 8.2 11.4 8.1

$35,000 to $49,999 12.2 13.4 12.5

$50,000 to $74,999 22.4 11.5 16.3

$75,000 or more 23.5 16.4 27.5

Unknown 20.6 23.4 24.3

Note: Details do not sum to total due to rounding. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology.

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

a Excludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.

bIncludes all racial groups.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

1Work relationships include offenders who were customers, clients, patients, 

and current or former supervisors, employees, or coworkers of the victim.

Table 5

Victim/offender relationship for victims of workplace 

violence, by sex, 2005–2009

Percent of workplace violence

Victim/offender relationship Male Female

Total 100.0% 100.0%

Intimate partner 0.8* 1.7*

Other relatives 0.6* 0.7*

Well-known/casual acquaintances 11.7 18.9

Work relationships 25.5% 31.7%

Customer/client 3.9 6.5

Patient 1.5* 6.0

Current or former—

 Supervisor 1.2* 3.3

Employee 2.6 1.7*

Co-worker 16.3 14.3

Do not know relationship 8.5% 6.1%

Stranger 52.9% 40.9%

Note: Details do not sum to total due to rounding. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology.

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
March 2011 7

Victims of workplace violence were slightly less 

likely to have resisted their offenders than victims of 

nonworkplace violence

Three in 5 incidents of workplace violence involved victims 

who resisted their offenders (table 6). From 2005 through 

2009, victims resisted their offenders in about 60% of all 

incidents of workplace violence. While equally likely to use 

nonconfrontational tactics, victims of workplace violence 

were less likely than victims of nonworkplace violence to 

threaten or attack an offender without a weapon. 

Workplace violence was less likely to involve an 

offender under the influence of alcohol or drugs than 

nonworkplace violence

A smaller percentage of workplace violence (25%) involved 

an offender under the influence of alcohol or drugs than 

nonworkplace violence (37%), according to victims (table 7). 

About 40% of workplace violence did not involve an offender 

under the influence of alcohol or drugs, compared to about 

22% of nonworkplace violence.

Firearms were less likely to be present in workplace 

violence than nonworkplace violence

Weapons were less likely to be present in workplace 

violence than during nonworkplace violence (table 8). 

From 2005 through 2009, weapons were present in about 

18% of workplace violence and about 27% of nonworkplace 

violence. Firearms were present in about 5% of workplace 

violence and about 10% of nonworkplace violence.

Table 6

Victim resistance during workplace and nonworkplace 

violence, 2005–2009

Percent of nonfatal violent 

victimizations in—

Resistence type Workplace Nonworkplace 

Total 100.0% 100.0%

No resistance 39.6 35.2

Resisted 60.4 64.8

Threatened/attacked with a firearm 1.4 0.7

Threatened/attacked with other weapon 0.9* 1.1

Threatened/attacked without a weapon 18.3 25.8

Nonconfrontational tactics-yelling, 

running, argued with offender 29.1 32.4

Other reaction 10.6 4.8

Note: Excludes incidents in which the reaction was unknown. Details do not sum to total due 

to rounding. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology. 

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Table 7

Perceived offender drug/alcohol use in workplace and 

nonworkplace violence, 2005–2009 

Percent of nonfatal violent 

victimizations in—

Offender drug/alcohol use Workplace Nonworkplace 

Total 100.0% 100.0%

Perceived to be using drugs or alcohol 24.5 36.6

Not using drugs or alcohol 39.5 21.9

Do not know 36.0 41.5

Note: Includes 2006 data. See Methodology.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Table 8

Weapons presented by offender in workplace violence and 

nonworkplace violence, 2005-2009

Percent of nonfatal violent 

victimizations in—

Weapon type Workplace Nonworkplace

Total 100.0% 100.0%

No weapon 77.5 65.4

Weapon 18.3 26.6

Firearm 5.2 10.4

Knife 5.2 6.8

Other Weapon 7.0 7.8

Unknown weapon type 1.0 1.6

Did not know if offender had weapon 4.2 8.0

Note: Details do not sum to total due to rounding. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
8 workplace violence, 1993-2009

From 2005 through 2009, victims of workplace violence 

(13%) were less likely to be injured than victims of 

nonworkplace violence (29%) (table 9). The percentage of 

workplace violence victims who had serious injuries (2%) 

was lower than the percentage of victims of nonworkplace 

violence (4%) (table 10). 

Workplace violence was slightly less likely than 

nonworkplace violence to be reported to police

About 47% of workplace violence was reported to police, 

compared to about 52% of nonworkplace violence (table 

11). A smaller percentage of nonworkplace violence against 

males was reported to police than nonworkplace violence 

against females. However, police notification of workplace 

violence did not differ by the victim’s gender. No statistically 

significant differences were found between the percentages 

of nonworkplace and workplace violence against whites, 

blacks, American Indians, and Asians reported to the police. 

For Hispanics, a slightly higher percentage of nonworkplace 

than workplace violence incidents was reported to the police.

For victims ages 34 or younger, there was no statistically 

significant difference in the percentages of nonworkplace 

and workplace violence reported to the police. For victims 

ages 35 or older, workplace violence was at least slightly less 

likely than nonworkplace violence to be reported to police.

About 77% of workplace robberies were brought to the 

attention of the police. This percentage is lower than the 

percentages found for workplace rape/sexual assault and 

simple assault and similar to the percentage found for 

workplace aggravated assault. Robbery in the workplace was 

slightly more likely to be reported to police than robbery 

outside of the workplace. 

Table 9

Injury and treatment for victims of workplace and 

nonworkplace violence, 2005–2009

Percent of nonfatal violent victimizations in—

Injury/treatment Workplace Nonworkplace

Total 100.0% 100.0%

Not injured 86.7 71.1

Injured 13.3 28.7

Not treated 7.0 16.7

Treated 6.3 12.0

Do not know --* 0.1*

Note: Details do not sum to total due to rounding. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology.

-- Rounds to less than 0.05%.

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Table 10

Injury type, workplace and nonworkplace violence, 

2005–2009

Percent of nonfatal violent victimizations in—

Injury type Workplace Nonworkplace

Total 100.0% 100.0%

No injury 86.7 71.1

Serious injury 1.8 4.4

Minor injury 11.3 23.2

Rape without other injuries 0.1* 1.1

Do not know 0.1* 0.2*

Note: Rape with other injuries was classified as either serious injury or minor injury. Includes 

2006 data. See Methodology.

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Table 11

Workplace and nonworkplace violence reported to the 

police, by sex, race/Hispanic origin, age, and type of crime, 

2005–2009

Percent of nonfatal violent 

victimizations in—

Victim characteristic Workplace Nonworkplace 

Total 46.7% 51.5%

Sex

Male 49.2% 47.4%

Female 42.5 56.7

Race

Whitea 47.6% 50.3%

Black/African Americana 47.5 58.4

Hispanic/Latinob 33.9 51.7

American Indian/Alaska Nativea 61.5* 62.6

Asian/Pacific Islandera 41.7 51.0

Two or more racesa 64.5* 39.9

Age

16-19 years old 28.3%* 39.8%

20-24 38.1 48.1

25-34 56.3 53.5

35-49 47.4 57.2

50-64 40.5 52.7

65 or older 33.1* 71.5

Type of crime

Serious violent crimec 62.5% 58.6%

Rape/sexual assault 39.4 36.7

Robbery 76.8 59.4

Aggravated assault 63.0 62.1

Simple assault 42.2 47.0

Note: Excludes cases where reporting to the police was unknown. Includes 2006 data. See 

Methodology. *Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

aExcludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.

bIncludes all racial groups.

cSerious violent crime consists of rape/sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault and 

excludes simple assault.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
March 2011 9

The most common reasons for reporting workplace 

violence to the police were to stop or prevent an 

incident from happening (31%), prevent future 

incidents (21%), and stop attacker (20%) 

This rank ordering of reasons was similar to that for 

nonworkplace violence (41%, 31%, and 13%) (table 12). 

However, a lower percentage of workplace violence (31%) 

was reported to the police than nonworkplace violence 

(41%) to stop or prevent the crime from happening. 

Reports intended to prevent the offender from committing 

future crimes against the victim were less likely for 

incidents of workplace violence (21%) than for incidents 

of nonworkplace violence (31%). About 14% of workplace 

violence was reported out of duty to inform the police about 

crime compared to 7% of nonworkplace violence that was 

reported for such a reason. 

The most common reason why workplace violence was 

not reported to the police was that the incident was 

reported to another official

About 38% of workplace violence was not reported to the 

police because the incident was reported to another official, 

compared to about 7% of nonworkplace violence (table 

13). Similar to the percentages of nonworkplace violence 

that were not reported to police, about 22% of workplace 

violence was not reported to police because the victim 

thought the incident was a personal matter. About 24% of 

workplace violence was not reported to police because the 

victim believed that the incident was not important enough 

to be reported. 

The number of homicides in the workplace decreased 

by 51% between 1993 and 2009

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of 

Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), the number of victims 

ages 16 or older of workplace homicides decreased by 

39% from 1,068 in 1993 to 648 in 1999 (figure 4). The 

number decreased again in 2004 to 559. In 2009, based on 

preliminary data, there were 521 workplace homicides, 

a decrease from 2008 when there were 526 workplace 

homicides.

Table 12

Reason for reporting incident to police other than incident 

was a crime, by workplace and nonworkplace violence, 

2005–2009

Percent of victims in—

Reason reported Workplace Nonworkplace

Personal reasons

Stop or prevent this incident from 

 happening 31.1% 41.4%

Needed help or injured 2.9* 3.9

Recover property 3.8 5.3

Collect insurance 0.4* 0.8*

Prevent future incidents against 

 respondents 20.5 30.9

Public safety-related reasons

Stop this offender from committing 

 other crimes against anyone 19.9 13.3

Punish offender 10.1 11.6

Catch offender 4.7 8.1

Improve police surveillance 3.5* 5.3

Duty to let police know about crime 13.7 7.0

Other 9.4 4.5

No other reason 29.2 21.5

Note: Percentages sum to more than 100% because victims may have reported more than 

one reason. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology.

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Table 13

Reason for not reporting crime to police, by workplace and 

nonworkplace violence, 2005–2009

Percent of victims in—

Reason not reported Workplace Nonworkplace

Reported to another official 37.8% 6.7%

Personal matter 22.4 26.1

Not important enough 23.7 26.3

No insurance 0.2* 0.3*

Found out too late 0.4* 0.4*

Cannot recover property --* 0.2*

Lack of proof 2.3 5.6

Police would not help 8.6 18.5

Protect offender 3.0 8.3

Advised not to report 0.5* 0.5

Fear of reprisal 3.8 6.4

Too inconvenient 2.1 7.9

Other 13.8 12.5

Does not know 0.3* 0.8

Note: Percentages sum to more than 100% because victims may have reported more than 

one reason. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology. 

*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.

--Rounds to less than 0.05%.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

19951993 2000 2005 2009

Number of employed victims age 16 or older 

Figure 4

Workplace homicides, 1993–2009

Note: 2009 data are preliminary. Previous years are based on final data. Excludes fatalities 

due to the September 11th terrorist attack. Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, U.S. 

Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10 workplace violence, 1993-2009

From 2005 through 2009, a third of workplace 

homicide victims worked in sales-related occupations

In about 33% of workplace homicides that occurred 

from 2005 through 2009, the victim worked in a sales or 

office occupation (table 14). This includes sales-related 

occupations, which made up 28% of the occupations of 

workplace homicide victims. A third of workplace homicide 

victims worked in service occupations, including persons 

working in protective services. Persons in protective service 

occupations accounted for 17% of workplace homicide 

victims.

The majority of victims of workplace homicide from 

2005 through 2009 were male and middle-aged 

Males accounted for 4 in 5 victims of workplace homicide 

(table 15). From 2005 through 2009, about 48% of all 

workplace homicide victims were between the ages of 35 

and 54, about 21% were ages 55 or older, and about 10% 

were ages 16 to 24. Whites accounted for about half of all 

workplace homicide victims while blacks represented about 

a fifth of all victims. In comparison, Hispanics accounted for 

16% of all workplace homicide victims; Asians accounted for 

11%.

Table 14

Workplace homicides, by occupation of victim, 2005–2009

Occupation

Percent of workplace homicide 

victims age 16 or older

Total 100.0%

Management, business and financial 9.6%

Management 9.2

Business and financial operations 0.4

Professional and related 5.1%

Computer and mathematical --*

Architecture and engineering 0.3*

Life, physical, and social science 0.1*

Community and social services 1.2

Legal 0.6

Education, training, and library 0.6

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, 

and media 1.1

Healthcare practitioners and technical 1.2

Service 30.4%

Healthcare support 0.7

Protective service 17.2

Food preparation and service-related 7.2

Building and grounds cleaning 

and maintenance 2.4

Personal care and service 2.9

Sales and office 32.8%

Sales and related 27.9

Office and administrative support 4.9

Natural resources, construction, and 

maintenance 6.5%

Farming, fishing, and forestry 0.8

Construction and extraction 3.0

Installation, maintenance and repair 2.7

Production, transportation, and material 

moving 15.7%

Production 2.4

Transportation and material moving 13.2

Note: The National Crime Victimization Survey and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries 

use different categories of occupations. See Methodology. Includes 2009 data which are 

preliminary. Excludes homicides where the victim occupation was unknown. Details do not 

sum to total due to rounding.

*Based on 10 or fewer cases. 

-- Rounds to less than 0.05%. 

Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor 

Statistics.

Table 15

Workplace homicide victims, by sex, age, race/Hispanic 

origin, 2005–2009

Victim characteristic

Percent of workplace homicide 

victims age 16 or older

Total 100.0%

Sex

Male 81.6%

Female 18.4

Age

16-19 years old 2.2%

20-24 7.4

25-34 21.0

35-44 25.4

45-54 22.6

55-64 14.8

65 or older 6.3

Race/Hispanic origin

Whitea 48.9%

Black/African Americana 21.7

Hispanic/Latinob 16.2

American Indiana 0.4*

Asian/Pacific Islandera 11.2

Two or more racesa 0.1*

Other or race not reported 1.3

Note: Includes 2009 preliminary data. Details do not sum to total due to rounding. See 

Methodology.

*Based on 10 or fewer cases.

aExcludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.

bIncludes all racial groups.

Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor 

Statistics.
March 2011 11

Robbers and other assailants accounted for the 

majority of workplace homicide offenders

From 2005 through 2009, about 38% of workplace homicide 

offenders were robbers (table 16). Work associates 

accounted for about a fifth, and customers and clients 

represented about 10% of all workplace homicide offenders. 

Current and former coworkers committed 11% of workplace 

homicides. Spouses constituted about 3% of offenders in 

workplace homicides.

Most workplace homicides resulted from shootings

Shootings accounted for about 80% of workplace homicides 

from 2005 through 2009 (table 17). About 14% of workplace 

homicides resulted from stabbings, hittings, kickings, or 

beatings. 

Methodology

Data sources

This report presents data on rape, sexual assault, robbery, 

aggravated assault, and simple assault against persons age 

16 or older while they were at work or on duty as measured 

by the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). 

The NCVS gathers data on crimes against persons age 12 

or older, reported and not reported to the police, from 

a nationally representative sample of U.S. households. 

The NCVS provides information about victims (e.g. age, 

gender, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, income, and 

educational level), offenders (e.g., gender, race, approximate 

age, and victim/offender relationship), and the nature of the 

crime (time and place of occurrence, use of weapons, nature 

of injury, and economic consequences). Respondents to the 

NCVS age 16 or older are asked to select one occupation that 

best describes their job. More information on the National 

Crime Victimization Survey can be found here: http://bjs.

ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=dcdetail&iid=245.

Data on workplace homicide were obtained from the 

Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), collected by 

the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Workplace homicide 

information for 2009 is based on preliminary data. Data 

for 1993-2008 are based on final data from the CFOI. As 

reported on the BLS website, CFOI produces comprehensive, 

accurate, and timely counts of fatal work injuries. CFOI 

is a federal-state cooperative program that has been 

implemented in all 50 States and the District of Columbia 

since 1992. 

To compile counts that are as complete as possible, the 

census uses multiple sources to identify, verify, and profile 

fatal worker injuries annually. Information about each 

workplace fatal injury from all workplaces—occupation 

and other worker characteristics, equipment involved, 

and circumstances of the event—is obtained by cross 

referencing the source records, such as death certificates, 

workers’ compensation reports, and federal and state 

agency administrative reports. To ensure that fatal injuries 

are work-related, cases are substantiated with two or more 

independent source documents, or a source document and 

a follow-up questionnaire. Data compiled by the CFOI 

program are issued annually for the preceding calendar year. 

The National Safety Council has adopted the Census of Fatal 

Occupational Injuries figure, beginning with the 1992 data 

year, as the authoritative count for work related deaths in the 

United States. More information about CFOI can be found 

here: http//www.bls.gov/iif/oshfat1.htm. 

Table 16

Workplace homicides, by offender type, 2005–2009

Offender type

Percent of workplace homicide 

victims age 16 or older

Total 100.0%

Robbers and other assailants 70.3%

Robbers 38.3

Other assailants 32.0

Work associates 21.4%

Co-worker, former coworker 11.4

Customer, client 10.0

Relatives 4.0%

Spouse 2.9

Other relatives 0.8

Other personal acquaintances 4.3%

Current or former boyfriend or girlfriend 2.0

Other acquaintances 2.3

Note: Excludes strangers or assailants who were unknown. Includes 2009 preliminary data. 

Details do not sum to total due to rounding. See Methodology.

Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor 

Statistics.

Table 17

Workplace homicides, by incident type, 2005–2009

Incident type

Percent of workplace homicide 

victims age 16 or older

Total 100.0%

Hitting, kicking, beating 6.1

Shooting 80.0

Stabbing 8.1

Unknown 5.8

Note: Includes 2009 preliminary data. Unknown category includes homicides not elsewhere 

classified and homicides with unspecified types. See Methodology.

Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor 

Statistics.
12 workplace violence, 1993-2009

Appendix table 1

Standard errors for workplace and nonworkplace violence and violence against persons not employed, by type of crime, 

2005–2009

Standard error of the rates Standard error of the percents

Type of crime Workplacea Nonworkplaceb Not employedc Workplacea Nonworkplaceb Not employedc

Total 0.27 0.54 0.70 -- -- --

Serious violent crime 0.11 0.30 0.40 1.88 1.36 1.79

Rape/sexual assault 0.03 0.08 0.14 0.64 0.48 0.81

Robbery 0.04 0.17 0.22 0.74 0.92 1.19

Aggravated assault 0.10 0.21 0.27 1.68 1.09 1.41

Simple assault 0.23 0.40 0.53 1.96 1.39 1.82

Note: Serious violent crime includes rape/sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault. Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed by the U.S. 

Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 1. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology.

--Standard error less than 0.01.

aWorkplace violence occurs against an employed person age 16 or older while at work or on duty.

bNonworkplace violence occurs against an employed person age 16 or older while not at work or on duty.

cViolence against persons not employed occurs against a person age 16 or older who did not have a job the time of the crime. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Occupational categories in the National Crime 

Victimization Survey (NCVS) and Census of Fatal 

Occupational Injuries (CFOI)

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and the 

Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) use different 

systems of categorizing occupations of victims.

The NCVS began using the occupation categories 

displayed in this report after the 1992 redesign. In 2001, 

the employment questions were revised on the incident 

form using the Industry and Occupation coding of the 

1990 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) coding 

system. However, the screening questionnaire remained 

the same. In order to generate rates of workplace violence 

by occupation, the occupation categories on the incident 

form were collapsed into the occupation categories used 

on the screening questionnaire. Population estimates were 

generated from the screening questionnaire and incidents 

of workplace violence were generated using the collapsed 

categories from the incident form.

Beginning with the 2003 reference year, CFOI began using 

the 2002 North American Industry Classification System 

(NAICS) for industries, and the Standard Occupational 

Classification System (SOC) for occupations. Prior to 2003, 

the program used the Standard Industrial Classification 

(SIC) system and the Bureau of the Census occupational 

classification system. For more information, see 

www.bls.gov/iif/osh_wtre02.htm. Due to the methodology 

of the NCVS involving victim interviews, it was impossible 

to obtain information on the occupations of workplace 

homicide victims. Therefore, CFOI was used to gain 

this information despite differing systems of classifying 

occupational categories.

Methodological changes to the NCVS in 2006

Methodological changes implemented in 2006 impacted the 

estimates for that year to an extent that the estimates were 

not comparable to those of previous years. An evaluation 

of 2007 and 2008 data from the NCVS conducted by BJS 

and the Census Bureau found a high degree of confidence 

that estimates for 2007 and 2008 are consistent with and 

comparable to those for 2005 and previous years. For this 

reason, discussion of trends in the rates of crime in this 

report excludes the 2006 data.

Data from 2006 are included in tables displaying aggregate 

estimates because the effects from methodological changes 

implemented in 2006 did not impact the distributions across 

the variables describing the characteristics and consequences 

of crime. The effect on the 2006 estimates were on the levels 

and rates of crime, requiring omission from discussions 

of crime trends. Inclusion of 2006 data in tables providing 

aggregate estimates does not affect the comparisons 

presented in these tables.

Standard error computations

Comparisons of percentages and rates made in this report 

were tested to determine if observed differences were 

statistically significant. Differences described as higher, 

lower, or different passed a hypothesis test at the 0.05 level 

of statistical significance (95% confidence level). The tested 

difference was greater than twice the standard error of that 

difference. For comparisons that were statistically significant 

at the 0.10 level (90% confidence level), “somewhat,” 

“slightly,” or “marginally” is used to note the nature of the 

difference.

Significance testing calculations were conducted at the 

Bureau of Justice Statistics using statistical programs 

developed specifically for the NCVS by the U.S. Census 

Bureau. These programs take into consideration many 

aspects of the complex NCVS sample design when 

calculating estimates.

Standard errors for average annual estimates were calculated 

based on the ratio of the sums of victimizations and 

respondents across years. Estimates based on 10 or fewer 

sample cases have high relative standard errors. Care should 

be taken when comparing such estimates to other estimates 

when both are based on 10 or fewer sample cases. 
March 2011 13

Appendix table 2

Standard errors for workplace and nonworkplace violence, by occupation, 2005–2009

Standard error of the rates Standard error of the percentages

Occupation

Standard error of rate 

of workplace violence

Standard error of rate 

of nonworkplace violence

Percentage of 

workplace violence

Percentage of employed 

population age 16 or older

Total 0.27 0.54 -- --

Medical 0.91 1.43 1.34 0.15

Physician 4.06 3.54 0.44 0.03

Nurse 1.77 2.34 0.84 0.07

Technician 3.13 3.29 0.64 0.04

Other/medical occupations 0.93 2.13 0.72 0.10

Mental health 4.42 4.04 0.84 0.04

Professional 5.92 5.13 0.50 0.02

Custodial care 18.35 6.29 0.35 0.01

Other mental health occupations 6.37 6.95 0.56 0.03

Teaching 0.97 1.14 1.26 0.13

Preschool 1.21 4.05 0.13 0.03

Elementary 1.47 1.54 0.51 0.06

Jr. high/middle 3.19 2.42 0.48 0.04

High school 3.55 2.61 0.68 0.04

College/university 0.96 2.70 0.35 0.06

Technical /industrial school 26.88 -- 0.35 0.01

Special education facility 9.97 6.67 0.29 0.02

Other teaching occupations 3.02 3.43 0.53 0.04

Law enforcement 4.90 2.56 1.76 0.06

Law enforcement officer 10.95 2.28 1.27 0.03

Corrections 10.23 6.41 0.56 0.02

Security guard 11.53 6.88 1.00 0.03

Other law enforcement occupations 4.77 4.65 0.65 0.03

Retail sales 0.96 1.80 1.51 0.15

Convenience or liquor store clerk 3.49 6.63 0.35 0.03

Gas station attendant 14.12 13.09 0.37 0.01

Bartender 23.49 16.55 0.58 0.01

Other retail sales occupations 0.90 1.85 1.31 0.15

Transportation 1.97 2.03 1.15 0.08

Bus driver 5.17 2.86 0.32 0.02

Taxi cab driver 9.04 17.36 0.18 0.01

Other transportation occupations 2.15 2.22 1.08 0.07

Other/unspecified 0.22 0.63 2.23 0.32

Note: The National Crime Victimization Survey and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries use different categories of occupations. Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance 

parameters developed by the U.S. Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 2. Includes 2006 data. See Metholodogy.

--Standard error less than 0.01.

 Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
14 workplace violence, 1993-2009

Appendix table 3

Standard errors for rate of workplace and nonworkplace 

violence, by sex, race/Hispanic origin, age, marital status, and 

annual household income, 2005–2009

Standard error of the rates

Victim characteristic Workplace Nonworkplace

Total 0.27 0.54

Sex

Male 0.38 0.70

Female 0.33 0.71

Race/Hispanic origin

Whitea 0.33 0.59

Black/African Americana 0.62 1.49

Hispanic/Latinob 0.47 1.27

American Indiana 4.82 7.84

Asian/Pacific Islandera 0.88 1.35

Two or more racesa 2.93 8.31

Age

16-19 years old 0.80 3.33

20-24 0.85 2.10

25-34 0.60 1.09

35-49 0.40 0.69

50-64 0.42 0.60

65 or older 0.64 0.86

Marital status

Never married 0.50 1.23

Married 0.31 0.42

Widowed 1.60 1.96

Divorced or separated 0.73 1.70

Annual household income

Less than $7,500 1.17 5.54

$7,500 to $14,999 1.50 3.69

$15,000 to $24,999 0.98 2.14

$25,000 to $34,999 0.81 1.81

$35,000 to $49,999 0.64 1.29

$50,000 to $74,999 0.69 0.91

$75,000 or more 0.42 0.67

Unknown 0.44 2.53

Note: Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed by 

the U.S. Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 3. Includes 2006 data. 

See Methodology. aExcludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.

bIncludes all racial groups. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Appendix table 4

Standard errors for percentage of workplace and 

nonworkplace violence and employed persons, by sex, race/

Hispanic origin, age, marital status, and annual household 

income, 2005–2009

Standard error of the percent

Victim characteristic Workplace Nonworkplace

Employed persons 

age 16 or older

Total -- -- --

Sex

Male 2.26 1.41 0.33

Female 2.22 1.39 0.33

Race/Hispanic origin

Whitea 1.96 1.36 0.32

Black/African Americana 1.24 0.90 0.17

Hispanic/Latinob 1.17 0.94 0.19

American Indiana 0.48 0.24 0.03

Asian/Pacific Islandera 0.74 0.36 0.10

Two or more racesa 0.47 0.42 0.04

Age

16-19 years old 0.73 0.91 0.10

20-24 1.53 1.12 0.16

25-34 2.08 1.19 0.25

35-49 2.17 1.21 0.31

50-64 1.76 0.82 0.26

65 or older 0.48 0.20 0.09

Marital status

Never married 2.19 1.41 0.28

Married 2.32 1.18 0.34

Widowed 0.57 0.23 0.06

Divorced or separated 1.64 1.13 0.19

Annual household income

Less than $7,500 0.42 0.62 0.06

$7,500 to $14,999 0.89 0.68 0.08

$15,000 to $24,999 1.18 0.79 0.12

$25,000 to $34,999 1.21 0.83 0.14

$35,000 to $49,999 1.45 0.90 0.18

$50,000 to $74,999 1.89 0.84 0.21

$75,000 or more 1.92 0.99 0.28

Unknown 1.83 1.15 0.26

Note: Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed by 

the U.S. Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 4. Includes 2006 data. 

See Methodology.

--Standard error less than 0.01.

aExcludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.

bIncludes all racial groups. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
March 2011 15

Appendix table 5

Standard errors for victim/offender relationship for victims 

of workplace violence, by sex, 2005-2009

Standard error of the percent

Victim/offender relationship Male Female

Total -- --

Intimate partner 0.48 0.90

Other relatives 0.42 0.57

Well-known/casual acquaintances 1.82 2.83

Work relationships 2.52 3.40

Customer/client 1.07 1.74

Patient 0.66 1.68

Current or former—

 Supervisor 0.59 1.25

Employee 0.88 0.90

Co-worker 2.11 2.51

Do not know relationship 1.57 1.69

Stranger 2.94 3.61

Note: Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed by 

the U.S. Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 5. Includes 2006 data. 

See Methodology.

--Standard error less than 0.01. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Appendix table 6

Standard errors for victim resistance for workplace and 

nonworkplace violence, 2005-2009

Standard error of the percent

Resistence type Workplace Nonworkplace

Total -- --

No resistance 2.26 1.33

Resisted 2.29 1.37

Threatened/attacked with a firearm 0.50 0.20

Threatened/attacked with other weapon 0.40 0.25

Threatened/attacked without a weapon 1.74 1.20

Nonconfrontational tactics-yelling, running, 

argued with offender 2.08 1.29

Other reaction 1.36 0.54

Note: Excludes incidents in which the reaction was unknown. Standard errors were calculated 

using NCVS general variance parameters developed by the U.S. Census Bureau. These 

standard errors are for estimates in table 6. Includes 2006 data. See Methodology.

--Standard error less than 0.01. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Appendix table 7

Standard errors for perceived offender drug/alcohol use in 

workplace and nonworkplace violence, 2005-2009 

Standard error of the percent

Offender drug/alcohol use Workplace Nonworkplace

Total -- --

Perceived to be using drugs or alcohol 2.05 1.38

Not using drugs or alcohol 2.36 1.15

Do not know 2.31 1.42

Note: Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed by 

the U.S. Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 7. Includes 2006 data. 

See Methodology.

--Standard error less than 0.01. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Appendix table 8

Standard errors for weapons presented by offender, 

workplace violence and nonworkplace violence, 2005-2009

Standard error of the percent

Weapon type Workplace Nonworkplace 

Total -- --

No weapon 1.97 1.36

Weapon 1.74 1.21

Firearm 0.96 0.80

Knife 0.96 0.64

Other weapon 1.12 0.69

Unknown weapon type 0.42 0.31

Did not know if offender had weapon 0.87 0.70

Note: Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed by 

the U.S. Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 8. Includes 2006 data. 

See Methodology.

--Standard error less than 0.01. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
16 workplace violence, 1993-2009

Appendix table 9

Standard errors for injury and treatment for victims of 

workplace and nonworkplace violence, 2005–2009

Standard error of the percent

Injury/treatment Workplace Nonworkplace 

Total -- --

Not injured 1.61 1.30

Injured 1.51 1.24

Not treated 1.12 1.00

Treated 1.06 0.85

Do not know -- 0.07

Note: Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed by 

the U.S. Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 9. Includes 2006 data. 

See Methodology.

-- Standard error less than 0.01. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Appendix table 10

Standard errors for injury type, workplace and nonworkplace 

violence, 2005–2009

Standard error of the percent

Injury type Workplace Nonworkplace

Total -- --

No injury 1.61 1.30

Serious injury 0.56 0.52

Minor injury 1.40 1.15

Rape without other injuries 0.13 0.25

Do not know 0.13 0.10

Note: Rape with other injuries was classified as either serious injury or minor injury. Standard 

errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed by the U.S. 

Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 10. Includes 2006 data. See 

Methodology.

- Standard error less than 0.01. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Appendix table 11

Standard errors for workplace and nonworkplace violence 

reported to police, by sex, race/Hispanic origin, age, and type 

of crime, 2005–2009

Standard error of the percent

Victim characteristic Workplace Nonworkplace 

Total 2.34 1.42

Sex

Male 2.90 1.80

Female 3.63 2.01

Race

Whitea 2.63 1.69

Black/African Americana 7.26 3.37

Hispanic/Latinob 7.19 3.26

American Indian/Alaska Nativea 17.87 11.11

Asian/Pacific Islandera 11.67 7.92

Two or more racesa 17.68 6.75

Age

16-19 years old 10.81 3.29

20-24 5.67 2.73

25-34 4.09 2.54

35-49 3.80 2.47

50-64 5.02 3.75

65 or older 17.79 12.66

Type of crime

Serious violent crimec 4.53 2.11

Rape/sexual assault 13.49 5.90

Robbery 10.00 3.29

Aggravated assault 5.17 2.74

Simple assault 2.59 1.73

Note: Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed 

by the U.S. Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 11. Includes 2006 

data. See Methodology. aExcludes persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.

bIncludes all racial groups.

cSerious violent crime consists of rape/sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault 

and excludes simple assault. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
March 2011 17

Appendix table 12

Standard errors for reasons for reporting incident to police 

other than incident was a crime, by workplace and nonworkplace 

violence, 2005–2009

Standard error of the percentages

Reason reported Workplace Nonworkplace

Personal reasons

Stop or prevent this incident from happening 4.12 2.21

Needed help or injured 1.44 0.81

Recover property 1.65 0.94

Collect insurance 0.53 0.36

Prevent future incidents against respondents 3.57 2.05

Public safety reasons

Stop this offender from committing other 

crimes against anyone 3.53 1.47

Punish offender 2.63 1.38

Catch offender 1.83 1.16

Improve police surveillance 1.58 0.94

Duty to let police know about crime 3.02 1.08

Other 2.55 0.87

No other reason 4.04 1.80

Note: Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed by the 

U.S. Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 12. Includes 2006 data. See 

Methodology.

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.

Appendix table 13

Standard errors for reasons for not reporting crime to police, 

by workplace and nonworkplace violence, 2005–2009

Standard error of the percentages

Reason not reported Workplace Nonworkplace 

Reported to another official 3.01 0.89

Personal matter 2.55 1.65

Not important enough 2.61 1.65

No insurance 0.26 0.18

Found out too late 0.36 0.21

Cannot recover property -- 0.15

Lack of proof 0.88 0.82

Police would not help 1.68 1.44

Protect offender 1.00 0.99

Advised not to report 0.41 0.24

Fear of reprisal 1.13 0.87

Too inconvenient 0.84 0.97

Other reason 2.09 1.21

Does not know 0.31 0.30

Note: Standard errors were calculated using NCVS general variance parameters developed by the 

U.S. Census Bureau. These standard errors are for estimates in table 13. Includes 2006 data. See 

Methodology.

--Standard error less than 0.01. 

Source: National Crime Victimization Survey.
Office of Justice Programs • Innovation • Partnerships • Safer Neighborhoods • http://www.bjs.gov

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ncj233231

The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical agency of the U.S. Department of 

Justice. James P. Lynch is the director.

This Special report was written by Erika Harrell, Ph.D. Lynn Langton verified the 

report.

Doris J. James and Vanessa Curto edited the report, Tina Dorsey produced the 

report, and Jayne Robinson prepared the report for final printing, under the 

supervision of Doris J. James.

March 2011, NCJ 233231

This report in portable document format and in ASCII and its related 

statistical data and tables are available at the website: http://www.bjs.gov/index.

cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=2377.