NCJ Number
238814
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 40 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2012 Pages: 142-151
Date Published
April 2012
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study explored whether fear of physical harm or fear of sexual assault had a greater impact on fear of other crimes among both men and women.
Abstract
The study tested several hypotheses and found that women were significantly more afraid of home invasion, robbery, murder, physical assault, and sexual assault than men; victimization was not significantly associated with fear of crime for both men and women, and perceived risk of victimization was not significantly associated with fear of crime among women; both fear of physical assault and fear of sexual assault significantly impacted fear of home invasion among both men and women; and that fear of physical assault more so than fear of sexual assault was a more important predicator of fear of home invasion among both men and women. This study explored whether fear of physical harm or fear of sexual assault had a greater impact on fear of other crimes among both men and women. Data for the study were obtained from a sample of undergraduate students (n=282, 42 percent male, 58 percent female) who completed surveys pertaining to their fear of crime, experiences with victimization, perceptions of victimization risk, and knowledge of the victimization of others. The study examined several hypotheses and found that among both men and women, fear of physical harm was a greater predictor of fear of crime than fear of sexual assault. Study limitations are discussed. Tables, notes, and references