Perceived Risks and Crime Prevention Strategies of Japanese High School and University Students

• NCJ Number: 230144
• Journal: Crime Prevention and Community Safety Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2010 Pages: 77-90
• Author(s): Akio Honda; Tsuyoshi Yamanoha
• Date Published: April 2010
• Length: 14 pages
• Grant Number(s): 20730450
• Sponsoring Agency: Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study was undertaken to investigate Japanese high school and university students' perceived risks and their crime prevention strategies.

Abstract

Gender differences and the effect of their type of residence were also examined. Six types of crime prevention strategy were identified: vigilance, avoiding dangerous areas, risk management, avoiding dangerous routes, self-mentoring and avoiding going out at night. The results of this study indicate that women have greater perceived risks and more awareness of avoidance-related strategies than men. University students reported greater perceived risks than did high school students but were aware of fewer crime prevention strategies. Data on university students showed similar effects of type of residence: residents of single-family dwellings reported greater perceived risks than did those of multiple-family dwellings, although the former type of residence exerts negative impacts on their awareness of precautionary behaviors. These findings suggest that adolescents' housing choices might increase perceived risks, but decrease or restrict their awareness of crime prevention strategies. Tables, notes, and references (Published Abstract)