Crime Types
Aggravated Assault
Definition: An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe bodily injury, typically involving a weapon or resulting in serious harm.
In Detail
Aggravated assault is the most common violent crime in the United States, accounting for roughly two-thirds of all violent crimes reported to the FBI. The UCR program defines it as an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury, usually accompanied by the use of a weapon or by other means likely to produce death or great bodily harm. Simple assaults (those not involving a weapon or serious injury) are not included in UCR Part I violent crime statistics. The national aggravated assault rate was approximately 246 per 100,000 in 2023. Because aggravated assault is much more common than murder or robbery, it has an outsized influence on a city's overall violent crime rate. Cities with high aggravated assault rates will almost always show high violent crime rates, even if their murder and robbery rates are relatively moderate. The relationship between the offender and victim varies by jurisdiction, but FBI data shows that a significant proportion of aggravated assaults involve people who know each other — domestic situations, arguments between acquaintances, and similar confrontations. This is important context because it means that aggravated assault risk is not distributed evenly across a city's population.
Related Terms
Offenses that involve force or the threat of force against a person, including murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and rape.
The number of murders and non-negligent manslaughters per 100,000 residents in a given jurisdiction.
The taking or attempted taking of anything of value from a person by force, threat of force, or by putting the victim in fear.
The percentage of reported crimes that result in an arrest or are otherwise "cleared" by law enforcement, indicating how effectively police solve crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Aggravated Assault" mean in crime statistics?
An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe bodily injury, typically involving a weapon or resulting in serious harm.
Why is aggravated assault important for understanding crime data?
Aggravated assault is the most common violent crime in the United States, accounting for roughly two-thirds of all violent crimes reported to the FBI. The UCR program defines it as an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury, usually accompanied by the use of a weapon or by other means likely to produce death or great bodily harm. Simple assaults (those not involving a weapon or serious injury) are not included in UCR Part I violent crime statistics.