45.3 percent of the students in the survey report that they have been exposed to theft, assault, threats, robbery, or sexual offenses in the past year. The proportion is at roughly the same level as the last measurement from 2021 – but before that, the exposure had been at a higher level, according to Brå.
The exposure to sexual offenses is at its lowest level since 2015 (12.5 percent), when the comparison period starts.
The exposure has decreased over time, but it continues to decrease. And it is primarily the girls' exposure that has decreased, says Aravella Lejonstad, researcher at Brå.
Offensive Images
On the other hand, more than four out of ten girls report that they have received images with sexual content sent to them without asking for it. This question is new, and therefore, it is not possible to say whether it is an increase.
The proportion of young people who report being exposed to offensive comments on the internet has also increased significantly in recent years.
In the survey, more than half of all ninth-grade students, 51.3 percent, report that they have committed a crime (violent crime, theft, vandalism, or drug offense) at least once during the period.
Equal Number of Girls
It is roughly the same level as before – but it is the first time that an equal number of girls report committing crimes as boys.
More boys are involved in vandalism and violent crimes, but there is a slightly higher proportion of girls who report committing theft. A large proportion of students who report committing crimes have also been exposed to crimes.
It is a result that we see every year, that it correlates, says Aravella Lejonstad.
Several factors affect the risk of being exposed to crime. The proportion of exposed students is particularly high among those who live in families with weaker economic resources.
Even those whose parents are divorced or separated report a higher exposure, but also a higher involvement in crime.
Brå's survey on crime in school is conducted every other year among ninth-grade students. In this year's survey, over 4,200 students have answered questions about their involvement in and exposure to crime over the past 12 months.
Among both boys and girls, it is most common to be exposed to theft (26.2 percent and 25.9 percent, respectively). After that, it is most common among boys to be exposed to assault (21.4 percent), and among girls, sexual offenses are the next most common (17.9 percent).
The students who have been exposed to crime often report that it occurs in the school environment.
