NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee's violent crime rate has been dropping slightly since 2020, according to the most recent data available from the FBI, but the Volunteer state's violent crime rate is still 1.6 times higher than the national average.
"I think that's scary," Valerie Craig, co-founder of Tennessee Voices for Victims said. "I think it's scary to think that we live in a state where victimization, especially violent victimization, seems more prevalent based on the statistics."
The FBI classifies violent crimes as homicide, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.
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According to the most recent FBI violent crime data, from 2018 to 2022, Tennessee saw more than 3,000 homicides, more than 15,000 rapes, more than 176,000 aggravated assaults, and almost 29,000 robberies.
The Volunteer State ranked fifth in the nation for the highest violent crime rate in 2022, with New Mexico leading the country, the FBI data showed.
"Every time victimization happens, what the whole area recognizes is, 'That could be me, and that could've happened to me,'" Craig said. "It shifts peoples' perspectives of their lives, their safety; their sense of security. All of that changes."
Behind the number of violent crimes are real victims Craig helps in their path to healing.
"Those victims receive a life sentence," Craig said. "Their life never gets to go back to what they had before."
Craig explained survivors of violent crimes seek help in their own time, whether that's the day the crime happens or years later. While there are many resources designed to help victims in many parts of the state, not everyone has access.
However, the good news is the FBI data shows the state's violent crime rate has been dropping since 2020, decreasing nearly 7.6%. The most significant rate drop occurred between 2021 to 2022 at nearly 7.5%.
Newly released FBI data from the first quarter of 2024 shows that trend is continuing nationwide. According to the FBI, there was a 15.2% drop in violent crime during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023.
To read the new data on violent crime during the first quarter of 2024, click here.
To learn more about Tennessee Voices for Victims, click here.