Contemporary patterns of victimization

Gun violence and homicide continue to shape the lived realities of many Black communities in Canada in ways that cannot be understood apart from broader social, economic, and institutional contexts. A recent report published in Juristat shows that firearm-related violence is rising overall, with around 14,500 incidents recorded in 2024, representing a rate of 36 per 100,000 population (Perreault, 2026). While the 2024 rate represents a 4.2% decrease from 2023, it is 44% higher than a decade ago, when the rate was 25 incidents per 100,000 population (Perreault, 2026). Although the 2026 and 2025 editions of the report do not include racially disaggregated data, the 2024 edition indicates that Black communities continue to bear a disproportionate share of the risks and consequences (Perreault, 2024). This includes, but is not limited to, higher rates of firearm homicide victimization, repeated exposure to community violence, poorer economic outcomes, the compounding effects of stigmatizing media narratives and significant barriers to support following victimization (Aiello, 2025; Bouchard et al., 2020; Maynard, 2025; Mbari et al., 2026; Richardson et al., 2016; Sharpe, 2015).