(Newser)
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For the first time since 1993, America's violent crime rate has increased—thanks to an increased rate of assaults, CNN reports. Assaults climbed 22% last year, Justice department figures show; 2010 saw assaults at a record low. In 2011, assault victims accounted for 22.5 people per 1,000, compared to 19.3 the year before. Some 3.9 million attacks qualified as simple assaults, with no weapon and only minor injuries; 1.8 million were considered serious violent crime, including rape, sexual assault, aggravated assault, and robbery. The numbers of white, Hispanic, and young male victims in the serious assault group climbed, while numbers of blacks and young women did not.
