Crimes of violence
Jan Breckenridge, Moira Carmody
Crimes of violence
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Australian Responses to Rape and Child Sexual Assault
by Jan Breckenridge, Moira Carmody
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
There’s a secret hidden behind the stories we don’t talk about—about people who have been hurt and the brave ones who try to help. What does it take to understand something so difficult? But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book addresses highly sensitive and complex issues surrounding rape and child sexual assault, focusing on public opinion and support services in Australia. It is designed primarily for professionals and older readers, containing mature themes that may be distressing for children under 12. Parents should consider the challenging content before sharing with younger readers.
Why we rated Crimes of violence 11IE
Crimes of violence is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Crimes of violence works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Crimes of violence as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Sexual Abuse, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Trauma.
Thematically, Crimes of violence explores victims of crimes, public opinion, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about victims of crimes, public opinion, social justice.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781863732024
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- Allen & Unwin
- Published
- 1992
- Type
- Fiction