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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
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Results for fear of crime
82 results foundAuthor: Ireland. Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Title: Fear of Crime in Ireland and its Impact on Quality of Life Summary: This report investigates the level of fear of crime in Ireland and its impact on the quality of life by assessing factors that influence both aspects. Details: Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009 Source: National Crime Council Year: 2009 Country: Ireland URL: Shelf Number: 116214 Keywords: Fear of Crime |
Author: McEvoy, Claire Title: Gauging Fear and Insecurity: Perspectives on Armed Violence in Eastern Equatoria and Turkana North Summary: This study assesses actual and perceived firearm-related victimization and security threats and perceptions of insecurity in Eastern Equatoria and Turkana North, located in Africa. Details: Geneva: Small Arms Survey, 2008 Source: HSBA Working Paper 14; Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies Year: 2008 Country: Switzerland URL: Shelf Number: 116492 Keywords: Fear of CrimeFirearms |
Author: Hazen, Jennifer M. Title: Small Arms, Armed Violence, and Insecurity in Nigeria: the Niger Delta in Perspective Summary: This study discusses a number of issues in Nigeria following its return to democracy in 1999; including insecurity, armed violence, and the proliferation of illicit small arms. Details: Geneva: Small Arms Survey, 2007 Source: Occasional Paper #20, Graduate Institute of International Studies Year: 2007 Country: Nigeria URL: Shelf Number: 116490 Keywords: Fear of CrimeFirearms |
Author: Huhn, Sebastian Title: The Culture of Fear and Control in Costa Rica (II): The Talk of Crime and Social Changes Summary: The Costa Rican talk of crime is fundamentally based on the assumption that a formerly explicit nonviolent nation has been transformed into a battleground for social violence - that is, on the belief that an alarming "crime wave" is occurring today while there is no crime at all in the past. On the basis of this assumption, the fear of crime and the call for zero tolerance and drastic law enforcement actions have been increasing. In this paper the author discusses the Costa Rican talk of crime from a historical perspective to demonstrate that crime has always been a topic that has generated pervasive feelings of insecurity and social pessimism. Huhn argues that social changes in Costa Rican society and the paradigmatic shift in economic and social-welfare politics since the 1980s have been essential in the transformation of the talk of crime. As a part of this transformation, the politicization of crime since the 1990s has been one of the most powerful changes in the dominant discourse. Details: Hamburg, Germany: GIGA: German Institute of Global and Area Studies, 2009 Source: GIGA Research Programme: Violence, Power and Security; GIGA Working Paper No. 108 Year: 2009 Country: Costa Rica URL: Shelf Number: 115816 Keywords: Fear of CrimeViolent Crime |
Author: Ireland. Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Title: Fear of crime in Ireland and its impact on quality of life Summary: One of the priority areas of the National Crime Council was to examine fear of crime in Ireland. This report aims to examine the extent to which individuals report a fear of crime in Ireland; ascertain the factors which influence stated levels of fear; assess the reported impact of fear of crime on quality of life; identify the factors influencing the effect of fear of crime on quality of life; and advance recommendations for the development of strategies and/or initiatives aimed at reducing fear of crime and its consequences. Details: Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009 Source: Report commissioned by the National Crime Council Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 116214 Keywords: Fear of Crime |
Author: Northern Ireland. Criminal Justice Inspectorate Title: Handling Volume Crime and the Use of Police Bail: A Review of How the PSNI Deal with Incidents of Volume Crime and Uses of Police Bail Summary: Fear of crime, especially pronounced in communities with a high volume of crime, has a great impact of quality of life for citizens, regardless of whether or not they have been personally victimized. The authors assert that the effect of volume crime on community cohesion should not be underestimated. To that point, this report examines how the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) manages volume crime. Reporting, recording, investigation, and eventual disposal or clearance are all examined here. Details: Belfast: Criminal Justice Inspectorate Northern Ireland, 2006 Source: Year: 2006 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 115758 Keywords: Fear of CrimePolice-Community Relations |
Author: Alemika, Etannibi EO Title: Criminal Victimization and Fear of Crime in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria Summary: Criminal victimization has serious consequences for the citizens and society. Individual and societal aspirations for democracy, development, human rights, high standard of living are undermined by high level of criminal victimization. Nigeria has witnessed high rates of crime and victimization that have defied the measures, introduced by successive regimes, for its management during the past two decades. The problem of crime is most widespread and endemic in Lagos. This is most likely due to its being the most economically active and densely populated city in Nigeria. In spite of the crime problem in the country, there are no reliable statistics on the trend and pattern of crime and victimization. In order to bridge the data-gap, this study surveys the extent and pattern of victimization, fear of crime, perceptions of crime and the police among residents of Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Lagos was the capital of Nigeria from 19141 to 1991 when the capital of the Federation was moved to Abuja in the central area of the nation. The survey conducted in August 2004, covered Lagos metropolis. Data were obtained through multi-stage sampling design. The target population from which the sample was drawn were people who were 16 years or older in 14 Local Government Areas. Fieldwork was carried out by the staff of the Federal Office of Lagos with supervision by staff of CLEEN Foundation also based in Lagos, during the month of August 2004. In all, 2091 respondents were interviewed, with the following aims: to find out whether or not they were victims of crime during the past five years; to discover the extent and types of criminal victimization in Lagos metropolis; to find out the level of subjective feeling of safety as well as attitudes to crime and the police among the residents of Lagos. The findings of the study are summarized below. Extent of criminal victimization A substantial proportion of the respondents were victims of corruption and cheating in 2003. More than two-fifths of the respondents said they were victims of corruption, particularly demand for bribe by public officials. Also, 30% said they were cheated by various persons, groups and businesses during the year. Over a period of five years covered by the survey, theft and assault were the commonest form of victimization experienced by the respondents. The levels of victimization reported by the respondent for the past five years were as follow: - 1% of the households reported the murder of a member; - 6%; 5% and 23% of households with vehicle owners respectively reported robbery of automobile; theft of vehicle and theft of property from an automobile belonging to their members; - 15% of households with motorcycle and bicycle owners reported theft of cycles; - 9% and 6% of the households were victims of burglary and attempted burglary respectively; - 9% of the respondents reported being victims of robbery; - 25% were victims of theft; - 12% said they were assaulted; - 9% of the female respondents were victims of sexual violence. Spatial pattern of criminal victimization Criminal victimization varied across the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos metropolis, with the following pattern discernible from the analysis of the survey: - Murder was higher in Lagos Island, Mushin and Kosofe; - Automobile theft was highest in Lagos Island and Mainland; - Theft of property from car was widespread in all the LGAs but highest in Apapa and Mushin; - Incidence of burglary was highest in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Lagos Island, Ifako-Ijaye and Shomolu; - Robbery was more prevalent in Lagos Island, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ojo, Agege, Apapa and Mushin; - Respondents in Oshodi-Isolo, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Apapa reported higher levels of assault; - Female respondents in Ojo, Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo and Ajeromi-Ifelodun reported higher levels of sexual victimization; - In 2003, incidence of corruption, particularly extortion, was more prevalent in Lagos Island, Oshodi-Isolo, Mushin and Apapa. Perceptions of Crime and Safety in Community Robbery and murder were the crimes perceived as most prevalent in nearly all the LGAs. The two crimes were followed in respect of prevalence by theft, burglary. Majority of the respondents in all the LGAs, with the exception of Alimosho, reported decrease in crime level in their communities. However, while more than 70% of the respondents felt that crime decreased in their communities, majority of the respondents perceived increased level of crime in society. This apparent contradiction may be explained by the concentration of electronic and print media of mass communication with extensive coverage of criminal incidents in the state. More than 80% of respondents from all the LGAs (except AjeromiIfelodun with 56%) said that they felt safe walking in their neigbourhood after dark. Greater percentage of respondents felt safe at home after dark. However, nearly 70% were fearful of being a victim of any crime. Perception of Police Majority of the respondents had positive impression or perception of the police. More specifically: - 58% of the respondents said the police in their communities were doing a good job; - 53% agreed with the view that the police were helpful; - Positive perception or impression of the police was highest among respondents in Agege, Mainland, Mushin, Ikeja and lowest among respondents in Alimosho, Apapa, Kosofe, Surulere and Ajeromi-Ifelodun; Notwithstanding the generally positive perception of the police by the respondents, majority of them felt that police performance has declined over the past five years. Reactions to Crime Faced with high incidence and fear of crime, many communities and individuals took several measures to reduce their feeling of vulnerability and minimize risk of victimization. - 81% of the respondents said that vigilante existed in their communities, while 77% reported that the vigilantes were paid for their services; - Individuals introduced target hardening devices (fence, metal doors, locks, electronic devices) and employed security guards in order to minimize their risk of victimization. Police Community Relations Committee The provision for the establishment of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in police divisions was aimed at developing public-police partnership. About a third (34%) of the respondents said PCRC existed in their area, while 77% reported that they are aware of the role of PCRC. Details: Lagos, Nigeria: CLEEN Foundation, 2005. 35p. Source: CLEEN Foundation Monograph Series, No. 1: Accessed April 14, 2018 at: http://new.cleen.org/LAGOS%20CRIME%20SURVEY.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Nigeria URL: http://new.cleen.org/LAGOS%20CRIME%20SURVEY.pdf Shelf Number: 117355 Keywords: Crime StatisticsFear of CrimeVictimizationVictimization Surveys |
Author: Ferrell, Christopher E. Title: Neighborhood Crime and Travel Behavior: An Investigation of the Influence of Neighborhood Crime Rates on Mode Choice Summary: While much attention has been given to the influence of urban form on travel behavior in recent years, little work has been done on how neighborhood crimes affect this dynamic. This research project studied seven San Francisco Bay Area cities, and found substantiation for the proposition that neighborhood crime rates have an influence on the propensity to choose non-automotive modes of transportation for home-based trips. Specifically, high vice and vagrancy crime rates were associatd with a lowered probability of choosing transit in suburban cities for both work and non-work trips, high property crime rates were associated with a lower probability of walking for work trips in urban cities and inner-ring suburban cities, high violent crime rates with a lower probability of walking for work trips in suburban study cities, while higher property crime rates in San Francisco were associated with an increased probability of walking for non-work trips. Details: San Jose, CA: Mineta Transportation Institute, College of Business, San Jose State University, 2008. 96p. Source: Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 115201 Keywords: Fear of CrimeProperty CrimesTransit (San Francisco)TransportationTravel Behavior |
Author: Travers, Kathryn Title: Women's Safety: A Shared Global Concern -- Compendium of Practice and Policies Summary: This report presents a global compendium of practices on a municipal, non-governmental, and national level in the field of women's safety. It includes 69 examples from 32 countries, and is divided into four sections: municipal strategies, non-governmental initiatives, national government strategies and policies, and tools and resources. Details: Montreal: International Centre for the Prevention of Crime, 2008. 164p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 113418 Keywords: Abused WomenCrime Prevention MeasuresFear of CrimeFemale Victims |
Author: Roberts, Lynne Title: What Australians Think About Crime and Justice: Results from the 2007 Survey of Social Attitudes Summary: This report provides an analysis of the responses in the 2007 Australian Survey of Social Attitudes (AuSSA) on crime and justice. The AuSSA is a biennial mail-out survey that provides data on key questions relating to Australians’ social attitudes and behaviours over time. AuSSA 2007 consisted of a cross sectional mail-out survey completed by 8,133 adults from all Australian states and territories. Three versions of the survey were fielded with final response rates ranging from 39 to 42 percent. To produce Australian estimates the data have been weighted by education level to correct for differences in education level between survey respondents and the general population. The report addresses perceptions of crime, fear of crime, the administration of criminal justice, and changes in attitudes over time. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2009. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: AIC Research and Public Policy Series No. 101: Accessed August 28, 2010 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/4/8/A/%7B48A3B38B-376E-4A7A-A457-AA5CC37AE090%7Drpp101.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/4/8/A/%7B48A3B38B-376E-4A7A-A457-AA5CC37AE090%7Drpp101.pdf Shelf Number: 119698 Keywords: Criminal Justice, Administration ofFear of CrimePublic Opinion |
Author: Keown, Leslie-Anne Title: Precautions Taken to Avoid Victimization: A Gender Perspective Summary: This article uses the 2004 General Social Survey on criminal victimization to explore how men and women of the core working age population (25 to 54 years) living in Census Metropolitan Areas differ in the precautions taken to avoid victimization. The results indicate that though men and women do not differ substantially in the amount of crime they perceive around them - they do differ in the precautions taken to avoid victimization. This difference remains unchanged even when other factors like fear of crime, income, age, and victimization experiences are taken into account. Details: Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2010. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 7, 2010 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2010001/article/11123-eng.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2010001/article/11123-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 119752 Keywords: Fear of CrimeNeighborhoodsVictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Cordeweners, Tom Title: Violence in Bogota, Colombia? A Rich Man's Problem? Summary: In this thesis, I will discuss how violence affected the lives of upper-middle class habitants of Bogotá, Colombia. For this, I will use the information that I obtained during four months of fieldwork. In Colombia, guerrilla movements, paramilitary organisations, drug cartels, youth gangs and common criminals all use violence to protect their interests. Economic violence is the sort of violence that most members of the upper-middle class encounter in a direct way. However, different forms of political violence also have certain consequences for Bogotá’s upper-middle class. Most people take personal measures and protect their houses in order to prevent being victim of a violent crime. Although some upper-middle class inhabitants cooperate with neighbours, the police or other state institutions, this is not the way most people deal with fear and insecurity. The security policies of both the national and the local government are generally seen as effective. However, most members of the uppermiddle class are not satisfied with the way the police tries to improve security. As we shall see, this is one of the reasons for the fact that Bogotá’s upper-middle class calls in the help of private security companies to make their environment safer. Details: Utrecht: Utrecht University, 2008. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Master's Thesis: Accessed September 7, 2010 at: http://igitur-archive.library.uu.nl/student-theses/2008-0912-200805/UUindex.html Year: 2008 Country: Colombia URL: http://igitur-archive.library.uu.nl/student-theses/2008-0912-200805/UUindex.html Shelf Number: 119760 Keywords: Fear of CrimePrivate SecurityViolenceViolent Crime |
Author: Unver, Ahmet Title: People's Experience of Urban Lighting in Public Space Summary: This thesis aims to create new perspectives in urban lighting design by discovering people’s preferences in urban lighting through an exploratory research on people’s perceptive experience of urban space at night. In this study, I aim to analyze the common approaches and methods of urban lighting design and make their critique through my research results. Primary research objectives include the evaluation of what people perceive from the urban lighting design and how they feel about the design outcomes. In order to explore people’s experience of lit urban space at night, my research comprises a survey that aims to discover people’s opinions on certain lit urban scenes collected from the city of Ankara. Urban lighting design is a discipline that emerged to improve the aesthetic quality of urban space. It has significant effects on people and consequently on urban life. However, in this discipline, exploration of people’s needs and preference is a neglected phenomenon. Therefore, this study suggests that it is necessary to review the designercentered perspective on urban lighting design and question whether existing approach to this discipline has preferable outcomes for people. Through this desearch I aim to test whether it is appropriate to pursue and carry out the existing type of lighting design, and propose new perspectives to urban lighting. Details: Ankara, Turkey: Middle East Technical University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, 2009. 199p. Source: Internet Resource: www.ahmetunver.net/gths/ahmet_unver_master_thesis.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Turkey URL: Shelf Number: 119783 Keywords: Crime PreventionFear of CrimeLightingUrban Design |
Author: EU Research on Social Sciences and Humanities, European Commission Title: Insecurities in European Cities: Crime-Related Fear Within the Context of New Anxieties and Community-Based Crime Prevention Summary: The report submitted here concludes a European research project titled: "Insecurities in European Cities. Crime-Related Fears Within the Context of New Anxieties and Community-Based Crime Prevention" (INSEC). The project was supported by the European Commission within its 5th Framework Programme (1998-2002) "Key Action: Improving the Socio-economic Knowledge base". Among the seven "Research Tasks" as they were called, the following were relevant for our own plans: Task 2: "Individual and collective strategies in a changing society", Task 4: "Towards social cohesion in Europe"; and Task 6: "Governance, citizenship and the dynamics of European integration". The scientific positioning of the study is in criminology and urban sociology and it has an applied side by involving community crime prevention and community safety, as well as an orientation to comparing cultural patterns of insecurity, anxiety and fear by the parallel study of five large European cities: Amsterdam, Budapest, Hamburg, Kraków and Vienna. Put in a sentence the research project is about insecurity of cities from the perspective of their inhabitants and what can be done about it. To obtain information both in the individual cities and for comparing them to each other, the formulation of the methods and instruments applied were standardised as far as possible. The Final Report is divided into the following sections. It begins with some initial theoretical considerations guiding and accompanying the project. They lead over into the criminological main emphasis of the study identified by the terms insecurity, anxiety and fear (II). This is followed on by expositions of the urban sociological part of the work regarding the research field „big city" (II 3.), as well as on the area of crime prevention in the cities' security policy (II 4.). There is a short presentation of the research plan and research methods in a further section (III.). There follow the compressed result summaries from all five cities, being the sole responsibility of the respective partners (IV.). A selected few of the results from the five cities were then compared in rough outline using the population surveys, the in-depth interviews with selected inhabitants of the cities (IV 7.). The Final Report ends with some considerations of the overall results and an outlook (IV 7.4. and IV 4.5.). Details: Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2008. 152p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 17, 2010 at: http://cordis.europa.eu/documents/documentlibrary/100124091EN6.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Europe URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/documents/documentlibrary/100124091EN6.pdf Shelf Number: 119830 Keywords: Crime PreventionFear of Crime |
Author: Grossman, Michele Title: Don't Go There: Young People's Perspectives on Community Safety and Policing Summary: This study aimed to find out what young people aged 15-19 in the Brimbank area think about community safety and about the ways in which police and young people interact on these issues. Using a mixed-method study design that collected data through a survey and focus groups, the study sought to answer the following research questions: What helps young people to feel safe? What leads to young people feeling unsafe or at risk when they are in public spaces? What do young people see as the triggers and causes of increased violence and conflict amongst groups of young people? What do young people think about police in their local area and how can relationships between young people and police be improved? How can police and young people work together in improving community safety in the Brimbank area? This project surveyed 500 young people drawn from the general population in Brimbank and engaged a further 44 young people from Sudanese and Pacific Islander backgrounds through focus group discussions, as well as 14 young people drawn from the general population in a focus group looking specifically at strategies for improved youth-police consultation mechanisms on community safety. The evidence base provided through the Don’t Go There study has emerged through detailed and rigorous elicitation and analysis of the perceptions, views and voices of young people themselves. The findings of the research report are essentially ‘data-up’ findings that have been generated through a series of questions and themes that, while they are informed by a range of concerns and interests for Victoria Police as the key stakeholder in the project, have been independently pursued in the research design and have allowed young people to speak freely and in detail about what most concerns them in relation to the main issues canvassed in the study. While the findings presented below are specific to what young people who live in the Brimbank region have said in response to the research questions and themes, the methodology used in this survey, as detailed in Chapter 7 of the report, is fully transferable and can be used to elicit the views and perspectives of young people anywhere in the state to gather similarly rich locale- or regionally-based data. Details: Melbourne: Victoria University, 2010. 204p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 15, 2010 at: http://www.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/mcd/pdfs/dont-go-there-study-may-2010.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/mcd/pdfs/dont-go-there-study-may-2010.pdf Shelf Number: 119986 Keywords: Community SafetyFear of CrimeJuvenile OffendersJuvenilesPolice-Community RelationsPublic Opinion |
Author: Wortley, Scot Title: The Jamaican National Crime Victimization Survey: Final Report Summary: The 2006 Jamaican National Victimization Survey (JNVS) is the first victimization survey conducted in Jamaica that is based on a representative sample of the general Jamaican population. The final victimization survey was completed by a random sample of 3,112 Jamaican residents, 16 years of age or over. The survey focused on the following issues: 1) Patterns of criminal victimization; 2) Community crime problems; 3) Indirect exposure to crime; 4) Fear of Crime; and 5) Public attitudes towards the Jamaican police and other aspects of the Jamaican criminal justice system. Details: Toronto: Centre for Criminology, University of Toronto, 2006. 272p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 15, 2010 at: http://www.oas.org/ATIP/documents/victimization_surveys/jamaica/JNCVSfinal_2006%5B1%5D.pdf Year: 2006 Country: Jamaica URL: http://www.oas.org/ATIP/documents/victimization_surveys/jamaica/JNCVSfinal_2006%5B1%5D.pdf Shelf Number: 119988 Keywords: Criminal Justice SystemsFear of CrimePolice-Community RelationsPublic OpinionVictimization Surveys |
Author: Cordner, Gary Title: Reducing Fear of Crime: Strategies for Police Summary: Fear of crime was at or near the top of the list of police priorities in the United States more than 2 decades ago, in the early 1980s. Many police executives had accepted the premise that reducing fear of crime was an important objective, and several promising practices had been identified. This situation helped spur the development of community policing in the 1980s and 1990s but, paradoxically, the importance of fear of crime within the explicit missions of most police departments seemed to recede even as community policing expanded. More recently, however, the gap between (1) falling crime rates and (2) stable or even increasing levels of fear (what some call the reassurance gap) has led to renewed interest among police in strategies for reducing fear of crime. Also, fear of terrorism arose in America post-9/11, making fear reduction even more salient for local, state, and national officials. This Guide briefly reviews information about the phenomenon of fear of crime as well as historical and contemporary police efforts to reduce fear. The main focus, however, is on tools and techniques that police can use to target and reduce fear of crime, and institutionalize fear reduction within their agencies. Some promising practices and best practices have been identified — these are strategies and programs that have been implemented and that have been tested and shown to be effective. Fear of crime is a different animal from crime, disorder, or traffic, but it is not really all that esoteric. This Guide will help police understand what fear of crime is, why it matters, and why it should be an important target of police attention. The Guide provides a number of tools and techniques that should enable any police department to successfully add fear reduction to its operational strategy and organizational bottom line. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2010. 81p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2010 at: http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e110913242-ReducingFear.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e110913242-ReducingFear.pdf Shelf Number: 120105 Keywords: Community PolicingFear of CrimePolice-Community Relations |
Author: Innes, Martin Title: Measuring the Impact of Homicide on Community Reassurance: A Report to ACPO Homicide Working Group and NCPE Summary: This report details the findings of a proof of concept study conducted to examine the rationale and potential for measuring the impacts that criminal homicides have upon community reassurance and neighbourhood security. There were three basic aims of the study: 1) To examine how different criminal homicide incidents might impact upon levels of public reassurance generally and neighbourhood security more specifically in and around the particular areas connected to the crime; 2) To evaluation of the impact on levels of community reassurance and neighbourhood security of current standard police investigative practices used when responding to homicides; and 3) To explore and appraise a methodology for measuring the impacts of homicides on reassurance and neighbourhood security, and consider how this might contribute to the professional development of current community impact assessment tools used by police and improve the effectiveness of community impact management practices. Details: Cardiff, Wales: Police Science Institute, Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, 2006. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 28, 2010 at: http://www.upsi.org.uk/resources/CommunityImpactAssessment%20HomicideACPO2006.pdf Year: 2006 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.upsi.org.uk/resources/CommunityImpactAssessment%20HomicideACPO2006.pdf Shelf Number: 120111 Keywords: Fear of CrimeHomicidePolice Investigations |
Author: Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Bra) Title: The Swedish Crime Survey 2009: Victimization, Fear of Crime and Public Confidence in the Criminal Justice System Summary: Crime and the fear of crime are social issues that are attracting an increasing amount of attention, and the demands being made on society’s capacity to prevent these problems are increasing. There is also a growing need to monitor and analyze crime and the fear of crime. In 2005, the Swedish Government commissioned the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå) and other criminal justice agencies to plan and implement an annual survey of exposure to crime and levels of public safety (the Swedish Crime Survey) in Sweden. The first wave of data collection took place in 2006 and the principal findings were presented in a report in 2007. This publication is a summary of the fourth report of principal findings, based on the fourth wave of data collection, which was conducted in 2009. The Swedish Crime Survey covers a very broad range of issues, and this report presents the overall results relating to victimization, fear of crime and public confidence in the criminal justice system. The report contains few detailed analyses or explanations of the findings presented. In depth studies of this sort are instead presented separately in the form of special studies. Recent examples include studies on domestic violence against men and women, young people’s confidence in the criminal justice system and crime victims’ experiences of their contacts with the criminal justice system. Knowledge of victimization, fear of crime and public confidence provides an important basis for developing and improving the criminal justice system and other agencies, and may help to reduce crime and increase perceptions of safety. Details: Stockholm: Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, 2010. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: English Summary of Bra Report 2010:2: Accessed December 2, 2010 at: http://www.bra.se/extra/measurepoint/?module_instance=4&name=English_summary_NTU_2009.pdf&url=/dynamaster/file_archive/100401/9fa7c85c7b1d955bfa50c4b41c27bda1/English%255fsummary%255fNTU%255f2009.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Sweden URL: http://www.bra.se/extra/measurepoint/?module_instance=4&name=English_summary_NTU_2009.pdf&url=/dynamaster/file_archive/100401/9fa7c85c7b1d955bfa50c4b41c27bda1/English%255fsummary%255fNTU%255f2009.pdf Shelf Number: 120359 Keywords: Crime StatisticsFear of CrimeVictimization Surveys (Sweden)Victims of Crime |
Author: Mallea, Paula Title: The Fear Factor: Stephen Harper's Tough on Crime Agenda Summary: According to Statistics Canada, crime rates have been trending down for over 20 years. This includes the violent crime rate. Yet the Harper government continues to insist that there is an epidemic of crime, and that Canadians should be very afraid of increasing violence — guns, gangs and drugs — the fear factor. This study analyses the financial and human costs of the Harper government's tough on crime agenda and concludes it is wrong-headed, expensive, and counter-productive. In fact, it will likely lead to more crime and a bigger deficit. Details: Ottawa: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2010. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 6, 2010 at: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/National%20Office/2010/11/Tough%20on%20Crime.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/National%20Office/2010/11/Tough%20on%20Crime.pdf Shelf Number: 120382 Keywords: Costs of CrimeCriminal Justice Policy (Canada)Fear of Crime |
Author: Quinton, Paul Title: The Impact of Information About Crime and Policing on Public Perceptions: The Results of a Randomised Controlled Trial Summary: The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) carried out a randomised controlled trial to test the impact of crime maps and policing information. The public’s reaction to information about crime and policing was positive; a large majority thought it was informative and trustworthy. Importantly, the study was able to challenge the myth that sharing information with the public would increase the ‘fear of crime’. In fact, information was found to improve people’s perceptions of their neighbourhood and of the local police. The results of the study suggest that crime and policing information is a promising intervention in terms of improving the views of the public and, potentially, enhancing police accountability. The evidence, therefore, indicates that an investment of police resources in making information available to the public is worthwhile, particularly when integrated within a broader neighbourhood policing approach. Details: Bramshill, UK: National Policing Improvement Agency, 2011. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 16, 2011 at: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Full_Report_-_Crime_and_Policing_Information.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.npia.police.uk/en/docs/Full_Report_-_Crime_and_Policing_Information.pdf Shelf Number: 120809 Keywords: Crime MappingFear of CrimeNeighborhood PolicingPolice-Community RelationsPolicing (U.K.)Public Information |
Author: Cornaglia, Francesca Title: Crime and Mental Wellbeing Summary: Most estimates of the cost of crime focus on victims. Yet it is plausible that an even larger cost of crime occurs via its indirect impact on the mental wellbeing of non-victims. To test how crime affects individuals’ mental outcomes, we exploit detailed panel data on mental wellbeing, allowing us to observe the relationship between changes in crime in a local area and changes in the mental wellbeing of resident non-victims in that area (controlling for changes in local economic conditions). Our results suggest that increases in crime rates have a negative impact on the mental wellbeing of residents, with the biggest impacts arising from violent crime. We also find that local press coverage of criminal activity enhances the effect of crime on mental well-being. Details: London: London School of Economics and Political Science, Centre for Economic Performance, 2011. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: CEP Discussion Paper No 1049: Accessed July 27, 2011 at: http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/dp1049.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/dp1049.pdf Shelf Number: 122175 Keywords: Costs of Crime (U.K.)Fear of CrimeMental HealthNeighborhoods |
Author: Bulamile, Ludigija Boniface Title: Homeowner's Architectural Responses to Crime in Dar Es Salaan: Its impacts and implications to urban architecture, urban design and urban management Summary: This study is about Homeowner’s architectural responses to crime in Dar es Salaam Tanzania: its impacts and implications to urban architecture, urban design and urban management. The study explores and examines the processes through which homeowners respond to crimes of burglary, home robbery and fear of it using architectural or physical elements. The processes are explored and examined using case study methodology in three cases in Dar es Salaam. The cases are residential areas of Mikocheni B, Ilala Kasulu and Chang’ombe Housing. The findings from the three cases are compared and the common findings are illuminated and discussed using criminology, economic and social theories and concepts. The results of the study show that, homeowners physically and architecturally modify their home environments for many reasons. Homeowners do so by building or erecting wall fences around their houses and install or barricade doors and windows using metal bars. From the study, the notable main reasons are security and protection from burglary, thefts, home robbery and visual and physical privacy. Others include property marking, disputes and misunderstandings between neighbours and property encroachment by neighbours. In the study, it has been established that, the actions by the homeowners in responding to crime of burglary, thievery and home robberies have impacts and implications on the built environment. The impacts are: affects the visual experience of the built form by limiting view to houses; keeps neighbours apart thus limiting social interaction among residents; segregating public spaces and thus making them empty without people; encroaching on the streets; reducing surveilability of streets and neighbouring dwellings; create the impression of ‘private appearance’ therefore stigmataizing the residential neighbourhoods, all of which increase the vulnerability of areas as well as enhancing the ‘subjective’ feeling of fear in the areas. Furthermore, the responses pose risks to residents when fire evacuation from homes is required, including the effects that affect the environmental comfort conditions of homes and the overall built environment. Despite of the impacts to the built environment as summarised in the foregoing, the study has shown that, homeowners still erect wall fences and barricade their homes due to fear arising from previous crimes. On the basis of the impacts, a new approach to planning of residential housing areas is recommended in which the question of security against crime is included as design factor particularly in urban design. Either an approach to architectural design of houses and the layout of houses that considers crime as an important factor in addition to ‘target hardening’ approach is recommended to increase visibility and surveilability of built environments. The study concludes by highlighting five implications to urban architecture, urban design and urban management at planning and architectural design, considerations which may be of impacts towards improving built environment and management of the urban residential arena. The study ends by outlining and recommending areas of further research. Details: Stockholm: Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Urban Planning and Environment, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, 2009. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed September 1, 2011 at: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-11388 Year: 2009 Country: Tanzania URL: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-11388 Shelf Number: 122581 Keywords: Architectural DesignFear of CrimeSituational Crime PreventionUrban Planning |
Author: Taylor, Alice Title: Women and the City: Examining the Gender Impact of Violence and Urbanisation. A Comparative Study of Brazil, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Liberia and Nepal Summary: Utilising the participatory methodology of safety audits developed and tested by a range of organisations in the “safe cities movement”, the report looks into the lives of groups of women whose knowledge and views of their urban realities is central to creating safer cities. These include garment workers from urban factory areas in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, women attending universities in and around Monrovia in Liberia, and women informal vendors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to name a few. The research explores the ways violence and insecurity limit poor urban women’s mobility and their participation in society. Urbanisation can bring new opportunities, particularly in relation to employment and participation in organised groups. However, it also brings many challenges. Across the world, women experience violence or the fear of violence on a daily basis, travelling to and from work, taking their children to schools and travelling to and from markets. Moreover, urban men and women experience violence differently. They also experience and perceive protection and safety differently. Analysing these differences is a central first step to guaranteeing women’s rights to freedom from violence or the threat of violence in urban areas. From an urban planning perspective, cities often struggle to maintain services and infrastructure that adequately meet the needs and are within reach of their growing populations. Specific barriers are experienced by the poor and particularly by poor women. In this research, the challenges faced by women often reflect the safety and health consequences that some migrants face in the process of rural to urban migration, such as lack of access to decent work opportunities, poor access to services and inadequate transportation. However, only too often, the challenges faced by women in cities are interpreted or excused as women’s fault, rather than the result of urban design that fails to take into account gendered impacts. For example, such violence may be excused on the basis of a woman’s choice of dress or her decision to travel alone, at night, unaccompanied by a male. Examining the gender impacts of urbanisation is central to informing programmes and policies that reflect women’s realities and promote women’s right to the city. Details: Johannesburg, South Africa: ActionAid, 2011. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 13, 2012 at: http://www.actionaid.org/publications/women-and-city-examining-gender-impact-violence-and-urbanisation Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.actionaid.org/publications/women-and-city-examining-gender-impact-violence-and-urbanisation Shelf Number: 123613 Keywords: Fear of CrimeFemale VictimsUrban CrimeUrban DesignViolence Against WomenViolent Crime |
Author: Bradford, Ben Title: Different Things to Different People? The Meaning and Measurement of Trust and Confidence in Policing Across Diverse Social Groups in London Summary: One of the first actions of the new Home Secretary was to scrap public confidence as the single performance indicator of policing in England and Wales. But public trust and confidence will remain important to policing policy and practice. Trust and confidence can (a) encourage active citizen participation in priority setting and the running of local services, (b) make public bodies more locally accountable and responsive, and (c) secure public cooperation with the police and compliance with the law. Analysing survey data from London we find that overall 'public confidence' condenses a range of complex and inter-related judgements concerning the trustworthiness of the police. This is the case across different population groups and those with different experiences of crime and policing. Even recent victims and those worried about crime seem to place less priority on police effectiveness compared to police fairness and community alignment when responding to summary confidence questions. We argue that confidence summarises a motive-based trust that is rooted in procedural fairness and a social alignment between the police and the community. This social alignment is founded upon public assessments of the ability of the police to be a 'civic guardian' who secures public respect and embodies community values (Loader & Mulcahy, 2003). By demonstrating their trustworthiness to the public, the police can strengthen their social connection with citizens, and thus encourage more active civic engagement in domains of security and policing. Details: Unpublished, 2010. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed on January 28, 2012 at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1628546 or doi:10.2139/ssrn.1628546 Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1628546 or doi:10.2139/ssrn.1628546 Shelf Number: 123854 Keywords: Collective EfficacyFear of CrimeNeighborhood DisorderPolice-Community RelationsSocial Cohesion |
Author: Popkin, Susan J. Title: Safety Is the Most Important Thing: How HOPE VI Helped Families Summary: Fear of crime has profound implications for residents, causing stress and social isolation; relocation has brought about a dramatic positive impact on residents’ life circumstances. Those residents who left traditional public housing—voucher holders and unassisted renters and homeowners—are now living in neighborhoods that are dramatically safer than their original public housing developments. These improvements in safety have had a profound impact on their quality of life; they can let their children play outside, they are sleeping better, and are feeling less worried and anxious overall. However, those who remain in traditional public housing developments are still living in extremely dangerous circumstances, little better than where they started. Details: Washington, DC: The Urban Institute, 2007. 12p. Source: Metropolitan Housing and Communities Center Brief No. 2: Internet Resource: Accessed February 12, 2012 at Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 124106 Keywords: Fear of CrimePublic Housing |
Author: Feltes, Thomas et al Title: Gender-Based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime Summary: Due to their age and lifestyle, female students as a group are especially at risk from various forms of sexual violence – the aim of the three-year European-wide research project “Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime” (2009-2011) is to verify this hypothesis and to collect, analyse and compare relevant data in five European countries. By analysing the qualitative and quantitative data in a comparative survey it aims to rising awareness for the victimisation of female students. In the consequence this will support universities in their efforts to decrease sexual violence at universities, to help victims and to implement adequate instruments of prevention and intervention. The EU project, which has been funded through the programme “Prevention of and Fight Against Crime” initiated by the EU Commission on General Justice, Freedom And Security, is being coordinated at the Department of Criminology at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. Besides the German university the consortium covers the University of Bologna, Jagiellonian University in Cracow/Poland, Universitát Autonoma de Barcelona/Spain and Keele University/U.K. Details: Bochum, Germany: Ruhr-University Bochum, 2012. 394p. Source: EU-Project 2009-2011: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_final_report_printable_version.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_final_report_printable_version.pdf Shelf Number: 124572 Keywords: Fear of CrimeGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Balloni, Augusto Title: Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime: Country Report Italy Summary: The results of this research, and especially the interviews with stakeholders within and outwith the universities, clearly reveal the difficulty of defining the nature and the extent of the phenomenon. The parties involved cannot say how often the University of Bologna’s female students may have encountered problems with stalking, harassment or sexual violence, due to a lack of incontrovertible data on the phenomenon. There is no formal documentation regarding episodes or elements connected with the cases that have occurred within the university or requests for assistance on the part of students in difficulty. Indeed, many interviewees believe that the target, the reference sample, is too specific, in that it covers a sector of the population - female university students – that is not easy to identify, because even when a victim formally reports the crime to the police, detailed information on the victim is often not available. If the offence is not reported, and the victim decides instead to confide in family or friends, this information will be even more difficult to find; and even if the student turns to a specialised centre against gender violence, the fact she is a university student has little bearing on the collection of statistical data. Details: Bochum, Germany: Ruhr-University Bochum, 2012. 32p. Source: EU-Project 2009-2011: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_italy_english.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Italy URL: http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_italy_english.pdf Shelf Number: 124574 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesFear of CrimeFemale VictimsGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Czapska, Janina Title: Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime Summary: Due to their age and lifestyle, female students as a group are especially at risk from various forms of sexual violence – the aim of the three-year European-wide research project “Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime” (2009-2011) is to verify this hypothesis and to collect, analyse and compare relevant data in five European countries. By analysing the qualitative and quantitative data in a comparative survey it aims to rising awareness for the victimisation of female students. In the consequence this will support universities in their efforts to decrease sexual violence at universities, to help victims and to implement adequate instruments of prevention and intervention. The EU project, which has been funded through the programme “Prevention of and Fight Against Crime” initiated by the EU Commission on General Justice, Freedom And Security, is being coordinated at the Department of Criminology at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. Besides the German university the consortium covers the University of Bologna, Jagiellonian University in Cracow/Poland, Universitát Autonoma de Barcelona/Spain and Keele University/U.K. This research conducted within the framework of GAP grant project was the first of this scale and nature in Poland. Research in this area should continue in the form of cyclical polling research in universities/institutions of higher education that are participating in the project. It is also recommended to further expand the existing questionnaire for its application in other institutions 57 of higher education. Conducting research in a few countries at the same time allows deepening of the analysis. Due to the introduction of criminalization of stalking in 2011, it would be most desirable to conduct European comparative research both in the area of legal regulations as well in the practical application of the law. Such research – in addition to an unquestionable knowledge-building value – would provide a unique opportunity to analyze innovation through law, especially since – as suggest the results of the GAP project – European countries differ in their recognition of stalking as a crime. Details: Bochum, Germany: Ruhr-University Bochum, 2012. 59p. Source: EU-Project 2009-2011: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_poland_english.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Poland URL: http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_poland_english.pdf Shelf Number: 124575 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesFear of CrimeFemale VictimsGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Bodelon, Encarna Title: Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime: Country Report Spain Summary: Due to their age and lifestyle, female students as a group are especially at risk from various forms of sexual violence – the aim of the three-year European-wide research project “Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime” (2009-2011) is to verify this hypothesis and to collect, analyse and compare relevant data in five European countries. By analysing the qualitative and quantitative data in a comparative survey it aims to rising awareness for the victimisation of female students. In the consequence this will support universities in their efforts to decrease sexual violence at universities, to help victims and to implement adequate instruments of prevention and intervention. The EU project, which has been funded through the programme “Prevention of and Fight Against Crime” initiated by the EU Commission on General Justice, Freedom And Security, is being coordinated at the Department of Criminology at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. Besides the German university the consortium covers the University of Bologna, Jagiellonian University in Cracow/Poland, Universitát Autonoma de Barcelona/Spain and Keele University/U.K.. Most of the recommendations and proposals derived from the research in the Spanish case were obtained from the qualitative fieldwork. Many similar proposals were made in the discussion groups and in-depth interviews with the students and interviews with the agents. However, in the case of the students, there was a high degree of consensus that university authorities, and those outside the university, had a responsibility and obligation to implement preventive and response measures against gender-based violence in general, and sexual violence in particular. However, in the case of those stakeholders interviewed, their ignorance of the phenomenon and its incidence and causes, means that many are not able to clearly see this responsibility, or to propose measures to prevent it or act upon it in the university. Details: Bochum, Germany: Ruhr-University Bochum, 2012. 38p. Source: EU-Project 2009-2011: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_spain_english.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Spain URL: http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_spain_english.pdf Shelf Number: 124576 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesFear of CrimeFemale VictimsGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Stenning, Philip Title: Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime: Country Report United Kingdom Summary: Due to their age and lifestyle, female students as a group are especially at risk from various forms of sexual violence – the aim of the three-year European-wide research project “Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime” (2009-2011) is to verify this hypothesis and to collect, analyse and compare relevant data in five European countries. By analysing the qualitative and quantitative data in a comparative survey it aims to rising awareness for the victimisation of female students. In the consequence this will support universities in their efforts to decrease sexual violence at universities, to help victims and to implement adequate instruments of prevention and intervention. The EU project, which has been funded through the programme “Prevention of and Fight Against Crime” initiated by the EU Commission on General Justice, Freedom And Security, is being coordinated at the Department of Criminology at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. Besides the German university the consortium covers the University of Bologna, Jagiellonian University in Cracow/Poland, Universitát Autonoma de Barcelona/Spain and Keele University/U.K.. The UK NUS (2010) study has suggested that in order to raise awareness, challenge inappropriate behaviour and attitudes and make students feel safe on campus, awareness of violence against women must be raised amongst staff and students. Sloane (2011) has suggested that student unions, potentially via equality officers, take responsibility for running educational campaigns, and that such campaigns should be commonplace. Campaigns should include information around the acts that constitute gender-based sexual violence, the accountability of perpetrators, its prevalence and impacts on survivors (NUS, 2010; Sloane, 2011). Such work is likely to help faculty staff, women and friends who are told about victimising experiences recognise how to respond effectively. Sloane (2011) suggested that such training be made available to all staff throughout the university, to ensure they are made aware of the relevant institutional policies and procedures on how to address harassment and violence when it is reported. Indeed, the NUS (2010) argued that gender-based sexual violence issues must be supported by strong institutional policy on the topic. Policy must be linked to meaningful outcomes, such as reducing instances of harassment, abuse and stalking, through educational or rehabilitation methods. Policy must also address the actions that institutions will take against perpetrators and specify how they will be supported to address their behaviour. Other recommendations made by the NUS (2010) study and closely echoed in the recommendations of Sloane (2011), include ensuring there are clear channels of communication for reporting offences to the university/police and for seeking counselling and support. Counselling services should provide a free, quality service which 35% 42% 43% 43% 46% 56% 59% 61% 75% 88% To be advised without a third party To have a person allocated to me To be advised without bureaucracy To be advised anonymously To be able to contact someone 24 hrs a day To get an appointment straight away To be treated with compassion No pressure into making a complaint To be advised for free To be listened to and taken seriously Students' wishes (n=626) 45 ensures confidentiality, 24-hour cover, female support workers and is easily accessible. Emphasis was also placed on ensuring women feel believed when they relay their accounts and that the university can effectively refer to other agencies if need cannot be met by the institution. As such, strong links between universities, student unions, police, National Health Services and victim services must be developed and fostered. The NUS also recommend peer-led self-help groups for those who have experienced victimisation as well as the option of one-to-one counselling. The support services that are available need to be widely promoted and contact information should be included on student union websites (NUS, 2010; Valls et al., 2007). Services must also remain sensitive to the particular needs of international students including language barriers and religious factors which may impact on the victimisation experience (Sloane, 2011). Details: Bochum, Germany: Ruhr-University Bochum, 2012. 50p. Source: EU-Project 2009-2011: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_united_kingdom_english.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://vmrz0183.vm.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gendercrime/pdf/gendercrime_country_report_united_kingdom_english.pdf Shelf Number: 124577 Keywords: Colleges and UniversitiesFear of CrimeFemale VictimsGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceStalking |
Author: Nunziata, Luca Title: Crime Perception and Victimization in Europe: Does Immigration Matter? Summary: We present an empirical analysis of the consequences of the recent immigration waves in Western European regions in terms of crime victimization and perception. Our research strategy is twofold. We first estimate a linear probability model of the likelihood of being a crime victim (and of feeling unsafe) on immigration by region using individual data and a set of regional fixed effects and country specific time effects plus controls. In addition, in order to account for possible measurement errors of regional immigration and possible regional specific time varying unobservable factors, we instrument regional immigration in a model in differences using an exogenous measure of immigration flows induced by push factors in world areas of origin. Our empirical results suggest that immigration does not have any significant impact on criminality in destination regions. We find some effects on crime perception that disappear when immigration is instrumented. This result is at odd with our finding that crime perception is an important driver of the attitude of European citizens towards immigration. Details: Padua, Italy: Department of Economics, University of Padua, 2010. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2012 at: http://www.csea.decon.unipd.it/download/projects/immigration/CSEA_2011_004_Nunziata.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Europe URL: http://www.csea.decon.unipd.it/download/projects/immigration/CSEA_2011_004_Nunziata.pdf Shelf Number: 124626 Keywords: Crime VcitimizationFear of CrimeImmigration (Europe)Immigration and Crime |
Author: May, David Title: Criminal Victimization Experiences, Fear of Crime, Perceptions of Risk, and Opinion of Criminal Justice Agents among a Sample of Kentucky Residents Summary: In this study, we used a mail survey of a sample of Kentucky residents to collect data relating to three major outcome variables of interest. These variables included: (1) fear of criminal victimization; (2) perceived risk of criminal victimization; and (3) self-reported victimization experiences for various offenses organized by property crime, violent crime, and sexual crime categories. In an effort to make the sample as representative of the state as possible, we obtained a list of all registered voters in Kentucky and drew a random sample of 5,000 registered voters. Of that original 5,000, we received completed surveys from 1,616 adult respondents, a response rate of 36.6% after accounting for all undeliverable addresses. Details: Richmond, KY: Eastern Kentucky University, Department of Safety, Security, and Emergency Management, 2008. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2012 at: http://justice.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/15878C81-10EF-443A-B3C3-FD386219B5A1/203501/2008KYVictimizationStudy.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://justice.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/15878C81-10EF-443A-B3C3-FD386219B5A1/203501/2008KYVictimizationStudy.pdf Shelf Number: 124856 Keywords: Crime StatisticsFear of CrimeVictimization Surveys (Kentucky) |
Author: Social & Market Research Title: Research into the Views and Experiences of People Involved in Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in Northern Ireland Summary: This report presents the findings from research into Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Northern Ireland. The aims of the research were to establish the views and experiences of key partners and local stakeholders in relation to the impact and effectiveness of Neighbourhood Watch in: preventing crime and anti-social behavior; reducing the fear of crime; assisting local police in detecting crime; enhancing the relationship between the police and the community; and promoting community spirit. Details: Belfast: Northern Ireland Policing Board, 2007. 90p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 30, 2012 at: http://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/neighbourhood_watch_evaluation_final_report_-_nov._2007.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/neighbourhood_watch_evaluation_final_report_-_nov._2007.pdf Shelf Number: 125100 Keywords: Crime PreventionFear of CrimeNeighborhood Watch (Northern Ireland)Police-Community Relations |
Author: Booza, Jason C. Title: Reality vs. Perceptions An Analysis of Crime and Safety in Downtown Detroit Summary: The crime rate in downtown Detroit is significantly lower than the crime rate for the entire United States, the State of Michigan and Michigan’s largest metropolitan areas. Specifically, in 2003 there were 3,004 serious crimes per 100,000 people reported in downtown Detroit compared to 4,063 in the entire United States, 3,788 in Michigan and 4,085 in Michigan’s major metropolitan areas per 100,000 people. Detroit’s rate of serious crime, therefore, is 26% below the national average. During the past four years, the overall rate of serious crime in downtown Detroit has dropped 22%, from 3,027 crimes in 2001 to 2,345 crimes in 2004. Each of the seven categories of serious crime either fell or remained constant during the period. To understand the risk of crime for someone attending a major downtown Detroit event, it is necessary to include in the downtown population count the 19 million visitors who come to the Auto Show and numerous other events each year. Doing so lowers downtown Detroit’s crime rate to a miniscule level of 12 per 100,000 people. Details: Detroit: Wayne State University, 2007. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 9, 2012 at: http://www.cus.wayne.edu/content/publications/DMCVBJuneFinalReport.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://www.cus.wayne.edu/content/publications/DMCVBJuneFinalReport.pdf Shelf Number: 117830 Keywords: Crime Rates (Detroit)Fear of CrimeUrban Areas |
Author: Hinkle, Joshua Conard Title: Making Sense of Broken Windows: The Relationship Between Perceptions of Disorder, Fear of Crime, Collective Efficacy and Perceptions of Crime Summary: The broken windows thesis has had a profound impact on policing strategies around the world. The thesis suggests that police can most effectively fight crime by focusing their efforts on targeting disorder—minor crimes and nuisance behaviors such as loitering, public drinking and vandalism, as well as dilapidated physical conditions in a community. The strategy was most prominently used in New York City in the 1990s, and has been often credited for the crime drop observed in the city over that decade. Despite the widespread influence of the broken windows thesis, there has been relatively little rigorous empirical research which has sought to test the validity of its theoretical propositions. This dissertation aimed to address this shortcoming by using structural equation modeling to test the relationships between perceived disorder, fear of crime, collective efficacy and perceptions of crime suggested by the broken windows thesis using survey data collected during a randomized, experimental evaluation of broken windows policing in three cities in California. The results are supportive of the broken windows thesis, but also raise some challenges. Perceptions of disorder were found to increase fear of crime, reduce collective efficacy and lead to crime as suggested. However, fear of crime was not significantly related to collective efficacy as suggested, and the direct effect of perceived social disorder on perceptions of crime was the strongest effect in every model. Nevertheless, the findings do suggest that a reduction of disorder in a community may have positive effects in the form of reducing fear and promoting collective efficacy, and suggest the limitations of studies which only test for direct effects of disorder on crime and/or do not examine the variables at the perceptual level. Future research needs to further examine the broken windows thesis, ideally involving a prospective longitudinal study of crime at place. Details: College Park, MD: University of Maryland, College Park, 2009. 169p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed August 3, 2012 at: http://drum.lib.umd.edu/bitstream/1903/9547/1/Hinkle_umd_0117E_10573.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://drum.lib.umd.edu/bitstream/1903/9547/1/Hinkle_umd_0117E_10573.pdf Shelf Number: 125845 Keywords: Broken Windows PolicingBroken Windows TheoryCollective EfficacyFear of CrimeNeighborhoods and CrimeNuisance Behaviors and Disorders |
Author: Mellgren, Caroline Title: What's Neighbourhood Got To Do With It? The Influence of Neighbourhood Context on Crime and Reactions to Crime Summary: The overarching aim of this thesis is to contribute to an increased understanding of how the neighbourhood context acts to influence individual reactions to crime. The general framework is that the social and physical make-up of residential neighbourhoods influences individuals, over and above individual background characteristics. Disorder is an important neighbourhood-level factor and its presence is more or less pronounced in different neighbourhoods. It acts as a sign of a general urban unease and has potential negative consequences for the individual as well as for the community at large. Four studies have been conducted each with its own specific objective. The first study reviews the Swedish crime survey literature in order to assess the national evidence for neighbourhood effects, paying special attention to methodological issues. Overall, the current literature provides mixed evidence for neighbourhood effects. Methodological issues were identified as obstacles to drawing general conclusions and specific areas that need improvement were identified. The second study examines the origins of disorder at the neighbourhood level and the relationship between disorder and crime. Two theory-driven models of the relationship between population density, disorder, and crime are tested alongside an examination of whether these models are equally applicable to data collected in two cities, Antwerp in Belgium and Malmö in Sweden. The results found some support for direct effects of disorder on crime in both settings, independent of structural variables. Some differences between the two settings were observed suggesting that the disorder-crime link may vary by setting. To further examine the influence of neighbourhood context, the role played by neighbourhood level disorder in relation to worry about criminal victimization has been tested in a multilevel model in the third study. Overall the hypotheses of the influence of both neighbourhood level and individually perceived disorder, in shaping individual worry were supported. Individual background explains most of the variance but neighbourhood context has independent effects on worry. Individual level perceived disorder mediated the effect of neighbourhood disorder on worry suggesting that the effect of context is indirect through its effect on individual perception. The fourth study investigates whether it is possible to identify any unique neighbourhood effects on the extent to which residents apply crime preventive strategies. Initially some of the total variance in the dependent variables was found to be situated between neighbourhoods. This indicates that the neighbourhood context may influence individuals’ willingness to take crime preventive action. As expected, individual characteristics explained a majority of this between-neighbourhood variance. An important finding is that the contextual variables appear to have different effects on different activities, highlighting the need to study different actions separately. Details: Malmo, Sweden: Malmö University Health and Society Doctoral Dissertations, 2011. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed August 3, 2012 at: http://dspace.mah.se/handle/2043/12283 Year: 2011 Country: Sweden URL: http://dspace.mah.se/handle/2043/12283 Shelf Number: 125857 Keywords: Broken Windows TheoryFear of CrimeNeighborhoods and Crime (Sweden)Nuisance Behaviors and DisordersUrban Areas |
Author: Bray, Liz Title: Green Spaces...Safer Spaces: Anti-Social Behaviour in Green Spaces Summary: Crime, the fear of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in green spaces are some of the things that most worry people and put them off using and enjoying the spaces for relaxation and recreation. The activities of a few offenders affect almost everyone who uses or would like to use green space. Crimes and various types of anti-social behaviour such as vandalism, graffiti, under-age drinking, sex offences and assaults, do occur in parks and green spaces. People can see for themselves the effects of vandal damage, fly tipping, spray painting, discarded bottles, cans and glue containers, trampling and wheel ruts and they are put off using the areas most badly or most frequently abused. Some spaces have a worse reputation than others and they are often areas that are underused by the rest of the community. Tall, dense shrubbery and lack of lighting also attract undesirable activities. 1.2 The fear of crime is a very strong factor for many people and word travels fast when serious incidents happen. Crime, particularly serious crime, is extremely rare in parks and other public places. When it does happen it is usually very widely reported at the time, but most users of Newcastle’s green spaces will not experience crime. 1.3 During the Green Spaces Strategy preparation we carried out extensive consultation and the following came up as major concerns over and over again. (See Para 2.1) Details of the consultations are on the Parks and Green Space web page. In a 2002 survey the top bad points were as follows with crime and anti-social behaviour accounting for five out of the seven. 1. litter (32%) 2. dog fouling (26%) 3. not well maintained (19%) 4. unsafe (15%) 5. vandalism (11%) 6. insufficient green space (10%) 7. threatening youths (10%) In specific consultations with young people and disabled people, personal safety was among their top concerns. Details: Newcastle City, UK: Newcastle City Council, 2004. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 4, 2012 at: http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/wwwfileroot/legacy/ns/leisure/greenspaces/Antisocialbehaviouringreenspaces.pdf Year: 2004 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/wwwfileroot/legacy/ns/leisure/greenspaces/Antisocialbehaviouringreenspaces.pdf Shelf Number: 126240 Keywords: Antisocial Behaviour (U.K.)Fear of CrimeGraffitiLitteringPublic SpaceVandalism |
Author: Mora, Pilar Title: Towards a Strategy of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design in the City of Masaya, Nicaragua Summary: This research project studies the influence of the built environment on criminal behaviour, and on people's behaviour because of their fear of crime, in a commercial corridor of the city of Masaya, Nicaragua. The report presents an analysis of the area under study from the perspective of safety. The goal of this project is to explore to what extent a specific strategy on crime prevention which is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Desiang - CPTED - can be applied in that context. Details: Montreal: McGill University, School of Urban Planning, 2008. 124p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 6, 2012 at: http://gim.ucs.inrs.ca/fran/PDF/Mora-2008.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Nicaragua URL: http://gim.ucs.inrs.ca/fran/PDF/Mora-2008.pdf Shelf Number: 126888 Keywords: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (NicDesign Against CrimeFear of CrimeUrban AreasUrban Crime |
Author: Nunziata, Luca Title: Crime Perception and Victimization in Europe: Does Immigration Matter? Summary: This paper presents an empirical analysis of the effect of changes in immigration in region of residence on the likelihood of being a crime victim and on the subjective representation of criminality in local area of residence. To this purpose, the analysis exploits the recent immigration waves that took place in western European regions in the 2000s, using European Social Survey data matched with data from Labour Force Survey and other sources. Three alternative research strategies are proposed and discussed to account for possible endogeneity and measurement error of migration penetration: fixed effects by regions and country specific years; IV by instrumenting migration penetration at regional level using a second measurement provided by an alternative data source and an IV specification in differences where changes in immigration are instrumented using exogenous supply-push changes by migration flow areas. All identification strategies suggest no effect of immigration on crime victimization and perception in western Europe. However, simple OLS estimates suggest otherwise, implying that regional unobserved characteristics are partly responsible for inducing the public to wrongly imply a causal relationship between immigration and crime, whereas only a small positive correlation exists. This latter finding helps explaining why crime perception is an important driver of the attitude of European citizens towards immigration. Details: Padua, Italy: University of Padua, Department of Economics, 2012. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 9, 2012 at: http://www.csea.decon.unipd.it/download/projects/immigration/CSEA_2011_004_Nunziata.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://www.csea.decon.unipd.it/download/projects/immigration/CSEA_2011_004_Nunziata.pdf Shelf Number: 126900 Keywords: Crime and ImmigrationFear of CrimeImmigrantsVictimization (Europe) |
Author: Alvarado, Camila Title: Crime in College Park: Understanding Crime Levels, Perceptions, and Environmental Design in an Off-Campus Student-Occupied Neighborhood Summary: Despite recently decreasing crime rates in College Park, fear of crime remains high. Additionally, while the crime rate on the University of Maryland campus is relatively low compared to the national average, crime in off-campus areas continues to be a problem. Crime mapping using spatial analysis techniques allowed the researchers to identify Old Town College Park as a student-occupied, off-campus residential area with a relatively high rate of larcenies, burglaries, and robberies. Through a longitudinal case study, quantitative and qualitative data about crime and students' perceptions of crime in the target were collected. These data were used to identify trends in how the rate of crime and perception changed in response to the implementation of CCTV cameras in Old Town. These data were also used to identify the correlation between crime level and the existing environmental design of the neighborhood's housing properties. Details: College Park, MD: University of Maryland, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2011. 181p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis, Gemstone Team Crime Prevention and Perception: Accessed November 24, 2012 at: http://drum.lib.umd.edu/handle/1903/11391 Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://drum.lib.umd.edu/handle/1903/11391 Shelf Number: 126984 Keywords: Camera SurveillanceClosed-Circuit TelevisionColleges and UniversitiesCrime PreventionDesign Against CrimeFear of CrimeNeighborhoods and CrimeOff-Campus Housing |
Author: Cruz, Jose Miquel Title: Public Insecurity in Central America and Mexico Summary: Criminal violence and insecurity have grown to become some of the main challenges for governance and democratization in Latin America. A recent report released by the UNDP places Central America as the most violent subregion in the world, higher than the Latin American region as a whole, which itself is the most criminally violent of all world regions. According to the data, Central America has a homicide rate of 30 deaths per one hundred thousand people (PNUD 2009). This is three times the overall rate for the world, and places Central America above the Latin American average. The impact of crime on development seems hard to overstate but as violence spreads out and becomes a frequent phenomenon in Latin American societies, public insecurity grows to be a normal feature in social interactions (Bailey and Dammert 2006). Fear of crime can be generated by different variables, not only by crime and violence. Economic security, institutional performance, ecological conditions and individual characteristics may affect levels of public insecurity. All these conditions interact with crime and violence to generate more uncertainty and, in some cases, social unrest. This report in the AmericasBarometer Insights series seeks to explore the conditions that boost feelings of insecurity among the population in Central America and Mexico. We have chosen to focus on these countries because they provide good grounds for comparison regarding different levels of violence. While El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have the highest crime rates in the hemisphere, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama report some of the lowest rates in the Americas. A further reason for focusing on this region is that the surveys carried out in these countries incorporated some questions that were not included in other countries in the 2008 series. Details: Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University, 2009. 7p. Source: Internet Resource: AmericasBarometer Insights: 2009 (No.28): Accessed January 24, 2013 at: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/lapop/insights/I0828en.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Central America URL: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/lapop/insights/I0828en.pdf Shelf Number: 127395 Keywords: Fear of CrimeHomicidesViolenceViolent Crime (Central American, Mexico) |
Author: Weisburd, David Title: Legitimacy, Fear and Collective Efficacy in Crime Hot Spots: Assessing the Impacts of Broken Windows Policing Strategies on Citizen Attitudes Summary: The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of broken windows policing at crime hot spots on fear of crime, ratings of police legitimacy and reports of collective efficacy among residents of targeted hot spots. A block randomized experimental design was employed to deliver a police intervention targeting disorder to 55 treatment street segments with an equal number of segments serving as controls. The main outcomes were measured using a panel telephone survey of 371 persons living or working in these street segments. Our results showed that the broken windows police intervention delivered to the crime hot spots in this study had no significant impacts on fear of crime, police legitimacy, collective efficacy, or perceptions of crime or social disorder. Perceptions of physical disorder, on the other hand, appear to have been modestly increased in the target areas. The study also did not find statistically significant changes in crime or disorder in official police data, though statistical power for these tests was low as the study was designed around the individual-level tests of the variables discussed above. As a whole, our findings suggest that recent criticisms of hot spots policing approaches which focus on possible negative “backfire” effects for residents of the targeted areas may be overstated. The study shows that residents are not aware of, or much affected by, a three hour per week dosage of aggressive order maintenance policing on their blocks (in addition to routine police responses in these areas). However, this lack of change also challenges the broken windows thesis as we did not find evidence of the reductions in fear of crime, or the increases in informal social control, that would be expected by advocates of broken windows based policing approaches. Future research needs to replicate these findings focusing on varied target populations and types of crime hot spots, while also examining different styles of hot spots policing. Details: Unpublished report to the U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2010. 209p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 12, 2013 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/239971.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/239971.pdf Shelf Number: 127585 Keywords: Broken Windows Policing (U.S.)Collective EfficacyFear of CrimeHot Spots PolicingNuisance Crime and DisorderPolice LegitimacyPolice-Community RelationsPublic Opinion |
Author: ActionAid Title: Women and the City II: Combating Violence Against Women and Girls in Urban Public Spaces - The Role of Public Services Summary: It is now well recognized that women and girls around the world face violence, sexual harassment and abuse in many of the spaces that they inhabit – their homes, workplaces, educational institutes, on streets and on public transport. Women’s fear of violence restricts their movement, limiting their use of public spaces, their movement from their homes and as a result, their full enjoyment of a range of human rights. ActionAid is working in different countries to make cities safe for women and girls through its Safe Cities Initiative.This initiative is founded on the concept of right to the city. The right to the city is the right of all city inhabitants, especially poor people, to have equitable access to all that a city has to offer and also to have the right to change their city in ways that they see fit. It entails: Freedom from violence and harassment, • including the fear of violence on the streets; Safe public spaces where women and girls • can move freely, without fear of assault; Access to water and sanitation, electricity, • transportation and other public amenities at residences and in public locations to reduce the risks of violence; Freedom from sexual harassment and abuse • in the workplace; Gender sensitive policing mechanisms for • reporting violence and obtaining redress, such as anti-violence centres/shelters; and Systems and structures for women and girls • to enjoy social, economic, cultural and political participation. This study, entitled Women and the city II: combating violence against women and girls in urban public spaces- the role of public services, was initiated to deepen our understanding about the links between violence against women and urban public services, to build evidence, to get communities as well as duty bearers to engage in the process and to strengthen our ability to work with women in these communities to seek change. Conducted in Brazil, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia and Nepal, this study comes at a time of significant global change. In 2008, the world reached a momentous milestone: for the first time in history, more than half of its human population – 3.3 billion people – lived in urban areas. By 2010, the global urban population outnumbered the rural population with 3.56 billion (51.5% of the global population) living in urban areas. This report is envisaged as a knowledge building and advocacy tool. Our expected audience includes local municipalities and community leaders, law enforcement, urban planners, non-governmental organisations, feminist movements, the safe cities movement in particular, policymakers and donors at the national and international levels. The report is divided into five sections, namely, an introduction that provides an overview of the right to the city and the global history of safe cities work; an outline of the methodology adopted for this study; country contexts for each of the six countries; key findings; and finally, recommendations. Details: Johannesburg, South Africa: ActionAid, 2013. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 1, 2013 at: http://www.actionaid.org/sites/files/actionaid/women_and_the_city_ii_1.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.actionaid.org/sites/files/actionaid/women_and_the_city_ii_1.pdf Shelf Number: 127741 Keywords: Fear of CrimeFemale VictimsPublic SpaceUrban CrimeUrban DesignViolence Against WomenViolent Crime |
Author: New York University. Furman Center Title: Investigating the Relationship Between Housing Voucher Use and Crime Summary: A 2008 feature in The Atlantic (“American Murder Mystery” by Hanna Rosin) highlighted the correlation between the presence of households using housing vouchers in a community and crime levels. The article, which drew from interviews and maps in the Memphis area, amplified common fears that families with vouchers bring crime with them when they move to a new neighborhood. Community resistance to households assisted by the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is nothing new. The media has long stoked speculation that increased crime follows households with vouchers, and fear of increased crime has fueled community resistance that threatens to undermine the effectiveness of the voucher program. However, until recently, virtually no empirical research existed to fortify, or debunk, the presumption that an influx of families with vouchers into a neighborhood increases crime. A recent Furman Center study fills this gap by examining whether, in fact, households with vouchers bring higher crime with them into neighborhoods. Using neighborhood-level data on crime and voucher use in 10 cities, our study finds no evidence that an increase in households using vouchers results in increased crime in a neighborhood. Instead, we find that households with vouchers tend to settle in areas where crime is already high. Our results show that community resistance to households with vouchers based on fears about crime is unwarranted. Moreover, our finding that voucher holders tend to use their vouchers in communities with elevated crime rates raises important questions about whether the voucher program is achieving its objective of allowing low-income households to choose from a wider range of neighborhoods. After describing our research and Investigating the Relationship between Housing Voucher Use and Crime 2 results, this policy brief considers the relevance of these two findings to recent policy debates and initiatives involving the voucher program. Details: New York: New York University, Furman Center, 2013. 5p. Source: New York: Policy Brief: Accessed April 9, 2013 at: http://furmancenter.org/files/publications/FurmanCenter-HousingVoucherUseCrime.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://furmancenter.org/files/publications/FurmanCenter-HousingVoucherUseCrime.pdf Shelf Number: 128321 Keywords: Fear of CrimeHousing Vouchers (New York City)Neighborhoods and Crime |
Author: Kearns, Ade Title: SHARP Survey Findings: Social and Community Outcomes Summary: 1. The Scottish Health, Housing and Regeneration (SHARP) study is a longitudinal study of the health and social effects on tenants of moving into new-build socially rented housing. The primary aim was to investigate the impacts of being rehoused in new-build socially-rented property on housing conditions, neighbourhood and social outcomes, and the health and well-being of tenants. 2. Three waves of household surveys were conducted. Waves 1 and 3 involved face-to- face interviews with 334 households who had been rehoused (the Intervention Group) and 389 households who were not rehoused (the Control Group)1. Wave 2 was a postal survey involving only the Intervention Group. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with a small number of those people rehoused. The findings of the survey analysis are presented in a number of separate reports. This report presents the results relating to social and community outcomes. 3. Rehousing per se did not prompt an increase in the rate of usage of local amenities, which fell over time in both study groups. Relocation to a different neighbourhood appeared to stimulate local engagement since among this sub-group, the mean number of local optional amenities identified increased over time, and the mean number of local participations also increased compared to a reduction among those who were rehoused in the same area. On the other hand, moving from a flat to a house and acquiring a garden were associated with reductions in local participation, suggesting that such moves might result in changes in attitude to the local community, with less desire or need for forms of organised local engagement. 4. Rehousing did not impact negatively upon people’s social networks or sources of social support. There were no differences at Wave 3, or in terms of change over time, between the Intervention and Control Groups either in the size of their social networks, nor the range of forms of recent social contact. Furthermore, at both points in time, the majority of those rehoused would have recourse to local sources of social support in most situations. Neighbouring behaviours however increased over time in the Intervention Group compared with little or no change in the Control Group. Those rehoused were more likely by Wave 3 to engage in neighbouring behaviours than members of the Control Group, particularly to visit their neighbours homes; engagement with neighbours seems to be stimulated by rehousing in new developments. Moving neighbourhood as part of rehousing had no negative impacts upon social relations for the Intervention Group and may in fact have had a slight stimulating effect upon neighbouring behaviours. 5. Sense of community including belonging, cohesion and empowerment increased significantly over time. Thus, rehousing itself did not impact negatively on people’s sense of community: they either maintained or quickly developed their sense of community after moving house. Moving neighbourhood (relocation) had no effect upon the average change over time in sense of community. However, we cannot tell how many people had a prior familiarity with the neighbourhood they moved to, although the qualitative research indicates that quite a few ‘relocators’ moved to an area which they had prior experience of. 6. Sense of safety and of informal social control (collective efficacy) increased over time among the Intervention Group: safety rose by a fifth and collective efficacy by a tenth, although safety was lower to start with and still lower than collective efficacy by Wave 3. Whether or not people had moved neighbourhood made no difference to these outcomes. People moving out of flats gained more in terms of safety and collective efficacy than those moving out of houses, particularly if they moved into a house. However, informal social control had similarly risen in the Control Group; thus, we cannot say that rehousing itself boosted people’s sense of informal social control. However, we are able to say that moving house and moving neighbourhood had no detrimental effect upon people’s sense of safety and of informal social control, both of which improved despite moving, and possibly partly because of it. 7. Some aspects of community were rated higher in Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) areas at Wave 1 (participation, belonging and empowerment) and other aspects were rated lower in SIP areas (safety, collective efficacy and cohesion). In relation to 2 aspects of community, change over time was significantly different in SIP areas than elsewhere: participation in organisations and clubs fell in SIP areas over time, compared to an increase elsewhere; whilst people’s sense of community cohesion (perceived trust, harmony and reciprocity among neighbours) increased three-fold in SIP areas compared to elsewhere. This latter finding may be related to the fact that across the entire Intervention Group, we found positive trends of association between identified neighbourhood improvements and people’s sense of cohesion, safety and collective efficacy. 8. Moving house and moving neighbourhood to some degree stimulate local engagement with neighbours and with local groups, so that the policy emphasis upon residential stability has to be tempered with the realisation that a degree of mobility within and between communities can have beneficial outcomes. However, it would be worth investigating whether these effects hold true for rehousing into existing housing as well as into newly built housing. 9. Privacy and quiet at home are important for individual well-being but also for perceptions of the community. Therefore, we would recommend a more comprehensive assessment of these outcomes across Scottish communities and an evaluation of the sufficiency of housing and neighbourhood management in this regard. Lastly, we would encourage further consideration of localised governance structures that give communities more involvement and influence over local area improvements and services, since these things are positively associated with people’s sense of security and community. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2008. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 7, 2013 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/249200/0071708.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/249200/0071708.pdf Shelf Number: 129006 Keywords: Fear of CrimeHousingNeighborhood SafetyNeighborhoods and Crime (Scotland) |
Author: Institute for Democracy Title: Security for all – a challenge for Eastern Abkhazia Community perceptions of safety and security Summary: This is the third annual survey conducted in Eastern Abkhazia by the Institute for Democracy and Saferworld since 2011. The survey tracks and summarises local perceptions of safety and security, gathered in four research areas: Gal/i town and surrounding villages, Ochamchira/e and Tkvarchel/i towns and surrounding villages, Upper Gal/i, and Lower Gal/I). The methodology included a household survey conducted in January 2013 and a series of follow-up focus group discussions conducted in March 2013. This year’s results show further slight improvements in local perceptions of safety and security, suggesting that positive changes noted between surveys conducted in 2011 and 2012 represent a trend, rather than a one-off anomaly. Respondents attribute positive changes to fewer incidents relating to safety and security, a decreased threat of renewed violence, and improved infrastructure. Unemployment tops the list of communities concerns while, as in the previous year’s survey, at the regional level concerns regarding crime, extortion, presence of armed groups, and kidnappings have virtually disappeared from the list of major community problems. These positive outcomes, however, are not evenly distributed and there are considerable differences between the four research areas. The Ochamchira/e and Tkvarchel/i group and, to a lesser degree, the Gal/i town groups reported an overall improvement, while respondents in the more isolated and rural Lower Gal/i and Upper Gal/i groups are more inclined to report a worsening of their situation in comparison to the previous year. In general, respondents in Ochamchira/e and Tkvarchel/i are more concerned by access to services (e.g. electricity, potable water), than by rights issues (e.g. access to Abkhaz passports, freedom of movement), which are pressing issues for communities in Lower and Upper Gal/i, as well as in Gal/i town and surroundings, albeit to a relatively lesser degree. Upper Gal/i is the only area where the majority of respondents note a worsening of their security situation, and in Lower Gal/i more people report deterioration than improvement (although the majority felt the situation was unchanged). In both research groups these negative perceptions were related to difficulties commuting across the Ingur/i River, and closely related to that, by difficulties obtaining Abkhaz passports. Problems with crime were identified as a major community concern by respondents in Lower Gal/I. Recommendations for responding to communities’ safety and security priorities n Carefully monitor the nature, cause, and frequency of incidents of crime in Lower Gal/i and develop measures to combat crime in the area n Simplify procedures for obtaining Abkhaz passports for permanent/long-term residents in Eastern Abkhazia and improve communication about such procedures, including about legal requirements for obtaining passports and reasons for delays or failure to issue passports n Improve procedures for crossing the Ingur/i River, including by opening additional checkpoints n Increase investments into socio-economic rehabilitation of the area, particularly emphasising job creation and healthcare provision. Details: London: Saferworld, 2013. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 3, 2013 at: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/downloads/pubdocs/Security-for-all-English-version.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Europe URL: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/downloads/pubdocs/Security-for-all-English-version.pdf Shelf Number: 129245 Keywords: Community Safety (Abkhazia)Fear of Crime |
Author: Freel, R. Title: The Night-Time Economy: Findings from the 2009/10 and 2010/11 Northern Ireland Crime Surveys Summary: Respondents to the Northern Ireland Crime Survey (NICS) were asked about their perceptions and experiences of visiting their local high street or town centre in the evening to socialise. This might include going to pubs, clubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres or concerts, meeting up with friends or attending community events and, within the context of the NICS, is referred to as the "night-time economy" (NTE). Over half of both NICS 2009/10 (53%) and 2010/11 (55%) respondents stated that they had not visited the night-time economy in the month preceding interview, with the most commonly cited reason being that they didn't really need or want to go (NICS 2009/10; 77% and NICS 2010/11; 84%). Findings from NICS 2010/11 suggest a relationship between frequency of visits to the night-time economy and age of the respondent, with younger age groups more likely than older age groups to socialise at least once per week (aged 16-24; 40% aged 75 plus; 3%). When age and gender are considered jointly, it is apparent that young men aged between 16 and 24 (50%) were most likely to frequent the NTE displaying a rate almost four times that of the NICS 2010/11 average (13%). NICS 2010/11 results also show a statistically significant increase since 2009/10 in the proportion of respondents who felt "very safe" (from 26% to 30%) and a subsequent decrease in those who felt a bit unsafe(15% to 11%) when socialising in their town centres in the evening. Over a third of respondents (38% in 2009/10; 37% in 2010/11) claimed that the presence of CCTV in the night-time economy made them feel safer whilst 16% of NICS 2009/10 respondents and 14% of NICS 2010/11 respondents were not aware of any CCTV cameras in their town centre. The most common method of transportation usually made for getting home from the NTE was public transport (43% in NICS 2009/10 and 45% in NICS 2010/11) which includes taxis, buses and trains. Findings show a statistically significant reduction in the proportion of NICS respondents who felt a bit unsafe whilst waiting for public transport in the NTE, falling from 23% in 2009/10 to 19% in 2010/11. Around two-fifths of NICS respondents considered people drinking or being drunk in public as the single most serious problem within the night-time economy (40% in 2009/10 and 38% in 2010/11). Over two-thirds of respondents felt that alcohol-related anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a very or fairly big problem in the NTE (69% in NICS 2009/10 and 67% in NICS 2010/11). Results from both sweeps of the survey show that around a third of respondents felt alcohol-related ASB had increased during the previous 12 months (33% in NICS 2009/10 and 31% in NICS 2010/11), with less than a tenth (7% and 8% respectively) of the opinion that the problem had decreased. Details: Belfast: Northern Ireland Department of Justice, Statistics and Research Branch, 2012. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Research and Statistical Bulletin 3/2012: Accessed July 11, 2013 at: http://www.dojni.gov.uk/index/statistics-research/stats-research-publications/northern-ireland-crime-survey-s-r/nics-2009-10-2010-11-night-time-economy-bulletin.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.dojni.gov.uk/index/statistics-research/stats-research-publications/northern-ireland-crime-survey-s-r/nics-2009-10-2010-11-night-time-economy-bulletin.pdf Shelf Number: 129364 Keywords: Crime Statistics (Northern Ireland, U.K.)Drunk and DisorderlyFear of CrimeNight-time EconomyPublic Safety |
Author: Ruprah, Inder J. Title: An Impact Evaluation of a Neighbourhood Crime Prevention Program: Does Safer Commune Make Chileans Safer? Summary: Safer Commune is a neighbourhood crime prevention program in Chile. It has failed according to some critics who cite as evidence the rising crime rates and fear of crime in municipalities with the program. This is incorrect. Valid empirical evidence would be the crime rates that would have been observed without the program. Such an impact evaluation - using double difference propensity score method- reveals that the program has reduced high crimes particularly of two types of crimes namely battery and theft. Thus, high crimes would have been 19% higher in the communes without the program; the program has made Chileans safer. Active participation in the program by local residents has reduced insecurity and increased security; it reduced the fear of crime. However, with very low active participation in the program the scale of the effect is low. These positive evaluative findings suggest that an expansion of the program but simultaneously enhancing co-production of order through mechanisms to encourage local resident participation would have high returns. Details: Washington, DC: Inter-American Development Bank Office of Evaluation and Oversight. 2008. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 6, 2013 at: Working Paper: OVE/WP-09/08 Year: 2008 Country: Chile URL: Working Paper: OVE/WP-09/08 Shelf Number: 131587 Keywords: Community Crime PreventionCrime Prevention (Chile)Fear of CrimeNeighborhoods |
Author: Maffei, Stefano, ed. Title: New European Crimes and Trust-Based Policy Summary: In the last decade, two large-scale research projects that focused on trust in justice were funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme. EURO-JUSTIS, which was co-ordinated by Mike Hough and ran from 2008 to 2011, aimed to develop social indicators on trust in justice in order to enable evidence-based public assessment of criminal justice across Europe. The purpose of the FIDUCIA project, which began in 2012 and will conclude in 2015, is to shed light on a number of distinctively "new European" criminal behaviours which have emerged in the last decade as a consequence of technology developments and the increased mobility of populations across Europe, and propose new approaches to the regulation of such behaviours. For years, the question which has dominated and defined criminology is, 'Why do people break the law?' Procedural justice theory in general, and the two projects in particular, invert this question to discover reasons for compliance with the law. This focuses attention on a different set of explanations. When we ask why we ourselves observe the criminal law most of the time, we immediately look to answers that are couched in terms of normative compliance. When people ask why others break the law, explanations tend to be in terms of instrumental factors, such as insufficient deterrence or insufficient responsiveness to deterrence. The central idea behind the FIDUCIA project is that public trust in justice is important for social regulation: this is why the Consortium proposes a "trust-based" policy model in respect of emerging forms of criminality. Its aim is to determine whether new ways of regulating the sorts of crimes that are becoming more common as we move towards a more integrated Europe, with improved communication, large movements of citizens and non-citizens between member states can be discovered. What does the FIDUCIA research team mean by "trust-based policy"? This is a fundamental idea, however it requires further explanation. Most people think that police and criminal justice systems control crime through systems of deterrent threat. They suppose that people obey the law because they want to avoid the costs of conviction and punishment in the courts. This is partly true, yet it is only part of the story. Most people obey the law most of the time because they think it is the right thing to do. The police and the courts play an important role in maintaining this "normative commitment to the law", and they do it best when they command legitimate authority. People are more likely to obey the law and to cooperate with police and justice officials when they regard them as legitimate. This publication contains the findings of the FIDUCIA project's first-year of research, namely a review of: the state of knowledge on crime trends (Deliverables 1-3), the effectiveness of current criminal policies (Deliverables 4-6) and the fear of crime, trust in justice and punitive attitudes of citizens across Europe (Deliverables 7-9). Details: Athens, Greece: FIDUCIA, 2013. 230p. Source: Internet Resource: Volume #1: Accessed January 31, 2014 at: http://www.fiduciaproject.eu/media/publications/11/FiduciaVol1_Nov18.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Europe URL: http://www.fiduciaproject.eu/media/publications/11/FiduciaVol1_Nov18.pdf Shelf Number: 131820 Keywords: Crime TrendsCriminal Justice PolicyFear of CrimePolice Legitimacy |
Author: Boda, Zsolt Title: Literature Review on Fear of Crime and Public Attitudes Towards Crime, Justice and Punishment Summary: Research under WP4 "State-of-the-Art Public Perceptions" focused on drawing the general picture on attitudes towards crime, justice and punishment, as well as mapping the phenomena by their geographical and social location in Europe, and resulted in a paper featuring a literature review on fear of crime and public attitudes towards crime, justice and punishment. Specifically, the paper provides a systematic, up-to-date literature review of the key European research on fear of crime, punitive attitudes and trust in justice. The task is subdivided into sections on "trust in justice", "fear of crime", and "punitive attitudes". The aim is to identify the most common explanations that can be found in academic literature about the patterns and possible causes of fear of crime, punitive attitudes and trust in justice. Details: Fiducia (New European Crimes and Trust-Based Policy), 2012. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 7, 2014 at: http://www.fiduciaproject.eu/media/press_releases/8/D4.1.Literature%20review%20on%20fear%20of%20crime%20and%20public%20attitudes%20towards%20crime,%20justice%20and%20punishment.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.fiduciaproject.eu/media/press_releases/8/D4.1.Literature%20review%20on%20fear%20of%20crime%20and%20public%20attitudes%20towards%20crime,%20justice%20and%20punishment.pdf Shelf Number: 132629 Keywords: Fear of CrimePublic AttitudesPublic OpinionPunishment |
Author: Stop Street Harassment Title: Unsafe and Harassed in Public Spaces: A National Street Harassment Report Summary: From "hey baby" to "stupid fag," from flashing to groping, sexual harassment in public spaces, or "street harassment," is a problem many people experience, some with profound consequences. Since 2008, Stop Street Harassment (SSH) has collected thousands of street harassment stories. This groundbreaking study confirms what the stories suggest: Across all age, races, income levels, sexual orientations, and geographic locations, most women in the United States experience street harassment. Some men, especially men who identify as gay, bisexual, queer, or transgender, do as well. Methodology This report presents the findings of a 2,000-person, nationally representative survey (approximately 1,000 women and 1,000 men, ages 18 and up). GfK, a top surveying firm, conducted the Internet-based survey in February and March 2014. Additionally, SSH conducted 10 focus groups across the nation from August 2012 to March 2014. What is street harassment? "Street harassment" describes unwanted interactions in public spaces between strangers that are motivated by a person's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, or gender expression and make the harassee feel annoyed, angry, humiliated, or scared. Street harassment can take place on the streets, in stores, on public transportation, in parks, and at beaches. It ranges from verbal harassment to flashing, following, groping, and rape. It differs from issues like sexual harassment in school and the workplace or dating or domestic violence because it happens between strangers in a public place, which at present means there is less legal recourse. Why does this issue matter? Street harassment is a human rights violation and a form of gender violence. It causes many harassed persons, especially women, to feel less safe in public places and limit their time there. It can also cause people emotional and psychological harm. Everyone deserves to be safe and free from harassment as they go about their day. Details: Reston, VA: Stop Street Harassment, 2014. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 21, 2014 at: http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2014-National-SSH-Street-Harassment-Report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/2014-National-SSH-Street-Harassment-Report.pdf Shelf Number: 132724 Keywords: Bias-Related CrimesFear of CrimeGenderHate CrimeHuman Rights AbusesPublic SpaceSexual Harassment |
Author: Easton, Helen Title: Getting There: Reducing Crime on Public Transport Summary: This briefing paper has been written as guidance for local community safety practitioners who are developing strategies and plans to deal with community safety issues on public transport. It gives an outline of government policy, the current situation and some examples of best practice. It makes recommendations for Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships about ways in which they can work together with local public transport operators to reduce crime and the fear of crime. Details: London: NACRO, 2003. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Briefing Paper: Accessed July 30, 2014 at: http://www.nacro.org.uk/data/files/nacro-2004120272-229.pdf Year: 2003 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nacro.org.uk/data/files/nacro-2004120272-229.pdf Shelf Number: 132844 Keywords: Fear of CrimeTransit Crime Transit Safety Transportation Security (U.K.) |
Author: Baker, David Title: Feeling Safe Again: recovering from property crime Summary: Property crime in Australia declined by more than half between 2001 and 2011 - affecting 2.9 per cent of households in 2012, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Although the proportion of victims has been falling steadily, recovery from these incidents remains an important policy issue for those unfortunate Australians who fall prey to this sort of crime. The shock that property crime can cause is underestimated by most people - burglary victims, in particular, may experience a psychological trauma in addition to the loss of the property itself. Until the mid-1980s it had long been accepted that victims of burglary recovered within two or three months following the crime. The consensus was that effects 'wore off' within a few weeks or months. More recent studies, however, have found that recovery can take much longer. The current consensus is that the effects are both 'pervasive and persistent'. Being the victim of a property crime has a bigger effect on a person's reported feelings of safety than demographic differences. Neither sex nor age had any notable influence on average reported safety scores. Interestingly, respondents who have not been victims but who perceive that theft and burglary are common in their local neighbourhood experience a similar level of insecurity to that reported by actual victims. Analysis of safety scores shows that being a victim of a property crime has an effect on people's feeling of safety over the successive two years. The prolonged recovery experienced by victims suggests that more could be done to support recovery and presents an opportunity for expanding support services. This paper has found that, after two years, victims of property crime still do not feel as safe as they did before the break-in or theft. Support services need to reflect this new understanding of recovery duration with, for example, long-term contact with victims. Even if initial services have been provided, a subsequent follow up may potentially improve recovery rates. Details: Canberra: Australia Institute, 2014. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Policy Brief No. 66: Accessed September 11, 2014 at: http://www.tai.org.au/content/feeling-safe-again Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.tai.org.au/content/feeling-safe-again Shelf Number: 133274 Keywords: BurglaryFear of CrimeProperty Crimes (Australia)Victim ServicesVictims of Crime |
Author: Heschong Mahone Group, Inc. Title: Outdoor Lighting and Security: Literature Review Summary: This literature review is intended to inform Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) about the existing research literature relating to any relationship between night-time outdoor lighting and security. This report reviews ten original research papers and three previous literature reviews. It sets out to answer the following questions: 1. Does the presence of nighttime lighting around commercial and residential buildings, parking lots and walkways influence crime or the fear of crime? 2. Does the quantity or quality of nighttime lighting influence crime or the fear of crime? 3. Is there a causal relationship between nighttime lighting and crime or the fear of crime? None of the papers reviewed presents sufficient evidence to demonstrate a causal link between night-time lighting and crime. The available results show a mixed picture of positive and negative effects of lighting on crime, most of which are not statistically significant. This suggests either that there is no link between lighting and crime, or that any link is too subtle or complex to have been evident in the data, given the limited size of the studies undertaken. Several studies showed a significant relationship between lighting and the fear of crime, i.e. that people feel safer in lit areas. The amount of light required to reduce the fear of crime appears to be in the range of 10 horizontal lux (1 footcandle), with little increase in perceived safety above that level. Details: Fair Oaks, CA: Heschong Mahone Group, Inc., 2008. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: HMG Project #0425: Accessed November 12, 2014 at: http://www.calmac.org/results.asp?t=2 Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: http://www.calmac.org/results.asp?t=2 Shelf Number: 134049 Keywords: Crime Prevention (U.S.) Fear of Crime Lighting |
Author: Brown, Radhika Title: Getting Safety on Track. Expanding Edmonton's LRT Design Guidelines to Improve Women's Perceptions of Safety at Transit Stations Summary: People base their travel choices on their perceptions of personal safety in environments such as transit stations. Women are more likely to perceive public spaces as threatening and they use public transit more than men, to access fundamental needs such as employment, childcare, education and healthcare. Effective design can reduce crime and fear by creating defensible spaces that assert ownership, and offer opportunities for natural surveillance. This is the underlying concept of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). Creating transit stations that make users feel safe could potentially increase use of public transit among women, particularly at off-peak hours. Identifying elements that affect women's feelings of safety in suburban (non-central) surface LRT stations in Edmonton can guide future station development, and reduce experiences of fear in existing stations for a safer and more inclusive transit system. The aim of this study is to determine how the City of Edmonton can better address women's safety in suburban (non-central) surface LRT stations through expanding their existing design guidelines to incorporate both CPTED guidelines as well as additional elements addressed by the safety audit checklist provided in the City of Edmonton's Safety Audit Guide for Crime Prevention (2000). The main questions guiding research are: 1. In what ways do the City of Edmonton's existing LRT Design Guidelines for Edmonton Transit System (ETS) incorporate CPTED guidelines, if at all? 2. What are the similarities and differences between the CPTED guidelines and the criteria that enhance safety in public spaces as noted in the Safety Audit Guide for Crime Prevention developed by the City of Edmonton, which is based on the Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC) Women's Safety Audit Guide? 3. How can the City of Edmonton's LRT Design Guidelines be expanded to enhance women's safety at above-ground suburban light-rail transit stations? The research involved a review of the published literature on gendered fear of crime in public spaces, the relationship of the built environment to perceptions of safety, and situational crime prevention. This was followed by a document review of the City of Edmonton's LRT Design Guidelines for Edmonton Transit System (ETS) (2011), as well as CPTED guidelines from the existing literature. A safety audit was undertaken using the a slightly modified version of the Checklist of Safety Audit for Crime Prevention in the City of Edmonton's Safety Audit Guide for Crime Prevention (2000). The key CPTED principles of natural surveillance, territorial definition, compatible building placement, and building form formed the broad framework under which the specific concerns addressed by the safety audit were classified. The findings of the safety audits conducted at Clareview and Century Park stations showed that there had been some, but not full, integration of CPTED principles in the design and upkeep of these stations. The newer Century Park station benefitted from the transparency resulting from the extensive use of glass in the building, and offered better natural surveillance opportunities than the older Clareview station which used concrete and had no windows on the lower level. Century Park was also noticeably better-maintained than Clareview, where signs of vandalism, disrepair, and poor maintenance contributed to feelings of insecurity. Both stations were fairly isolated at night, due to lack of activity-generating land uses in the immediate area of the station. The findings of the safety audit emphasize the importance of natural surveillance and territorial definition (maintenance and defensibility of space) in creating feelings of safety in transit users. Recommendations were formulated based on the findings of the safety audits: Conduct safety audits at all LRT stations. The results of these safety audits could then inform the design of future LRT stations in the expanding network, and provide a CPTED framework that is better tailored to the specific opportunities and challenges of the Edmonton transit system. Details: Kingston, ONT: School of Urban and Regional Planning, Queen's University, 2013. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed November 13, 2014 at: http://qspace.library.queensu.ca/bitstream/1974/8328/1/Brown_Radhika_201309_MPL.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Canada URL: http://qspace.library.queensu.ca/bitstream/1974/8328/1/Brown_Radhika_201309_MPL.pdf Shelf Number: 134081 Keywords: Crime PreventionCrime Prevention Through Environmental DesignDesign Against CrimeFear of CrimeTransit Crime (Canada)Transit SafetyTransportation Security |
Author: Nunziata, Luca Title: Immigration and Crime: New Empirical Evidence from European Victimization Data Summary: We exploit the increase in immigration flows into western European countries that took place in the 2000s to assess whether immigration affects crime victimization and the perception of criminality among European natives. Using data from the European Social Survey, the Labour Force Survey and other sources, we provide a set of fixed effects and instrumental variable estimations that deal with the endogenous sorting of immigration by region and with the sampling error in survey based measures of regional immigration shares, whose implications in terms of attenuation bias are investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Our empirical findings show that an increase in immigration does not affect crime victimization, but it is associated with an increase in the fear of crime, the latter being consistently and positively correlated with the natives' unfavourable attitude toward immigrants. Our results reveal a misconception of the link between immigration and crime among European natives. Details: Bonn, Germany: Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), 2014. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: IZA DP No. 8632: Accessed January 31, 2015 at: http://ftp.iza.org/dp8632.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Europe URL: http://ftp.iza.org/dp8632.pdf Shelf Number: 134512 Keywords: Fear of CrimeImmigrants and CrimeImmigration (Europe)VictimizationVictims of Crime |
Author: Avdic, Daniel Title: Does the Burglar Also Disturb the Neighbor? Crime Spillovers on Individual Well-Being Summary: Indirect psychological effects induced by crime are likely to contribute significantly to the total costs of crime beyond the financial costs of direct victimization. Using detailed crime statistics for the whole of Germany and linking them to individual-level mental health information from the German Socio-Economic Panel, we analyze whether local crime rates affect the mental health of residents. We estimate that a one standard deviation increase in local violent crime rates significantly decreases individual mental well-being among residents by, on average, one percent. Smaller effects are found for property and total crime rates. Results are insensitive to migration and not isolated to urban areas, but are rather driven by less densely populated regions. In contrast to previous literature on vulnerability to crime, we find that men, more educated and singles react more to variation in violent crime rates in their neighborhoods. One potential explanation could be that those who are more fearful of crime have developed better coping strategies and, hence, react less to changes in crime. Details: Berlin: German Socio-Economic Panel Study, 2015. Source: Internet Resource: SOEP Papers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research no. 737: Accessed March 12, 2015 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2569662## Year: 2015 Country: Germany URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2569662## Shelf Number: 134920 Keywords: Burglars Burglary (Germany) Crime Spillovers Fear of CrimeNeighborhoods and Crime |
Author: Zechmeister, Elizabeth J., ed. Title: The Political Culture of Democracy in the Americas, 2014: Democratic Governance across 10 Years of the AmericasBarometer Summary: he 2014 Americas Barometer data and the corresponding regional report mark an important milestone for the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP): we are now able to assess over a decade of values, assessments, and experience as that have been reported to us though first-hand accounts by citizens across the region. The Americas Barometer surveys, spanning from 2004 to 2014, allow us to capture both change and continuity in the region on indicators that are vital to the quality and health of democracy across the Americas. In looking back over the decade, one trend is clear: citizens of the Americas are more concerned today about issues of crime and violence than they were a decade ago. We take this fact as a cornerstone for this report, and devote the first three chapters to an assessment of citizens - experiences with, evaluations of, and reactions to issues of crime and insecurity. We then proceed in the subsequent four chapters to address topics that are considered "core" to the Americas Barometer project: citizens - assessments of the economy and corruption; their interactions with and evaluations of local government; and, their democratic support and attitudes. In each of these cases we identify key trends, developments, and sources of variation on these dimensions and examine links between these core issues of crime and insecurity. Thus, the goal of this report is to provide a comparative perspective - across time, countries, and individuals - on issues that are central to democratic governance in the Americas, with a particular focus on how countries, governments, and citizens are faring in the face of the heightened insecurity that characterizes the region. Details: Washington, DC: United States Agency for International Development, 2014. 325p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 9, 2015 at: http://seguridadcondemocracia.org/administrador_de_carpetas/biblioteca_virtual/pdf/AB2014_Comparative_Report_English_V3_revised_120514_W.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Latin America URL: http://seguridadcondemocracia.org/administrador_de_carpetas/biblioteca_virtual/pdf/AB2014_Comparative_Report_English_V3_revised_120514_W.pdf Shelf Number: 135204 Keywords: Economic Conditions and CrimeFear of CrimePolitical CorruptionPublic OpinionSecurityViolence |
Author: Hirschfield, Alex Title: The Health Impact Assessment of the Home Office Reducing Burglary Initiative Summary: There is an increasing body of literature, which considers not only the negative health impacts of crime on individuals and communities, but also the nature and context of fear of crime. This element, which is not easily explained by either experience or risk of crime, has only recently been further explored. The health impacts of property crimes such as theft and burglary are, however, the least well documented of all crime types. Researchers have even less frequently examined the preventive and protective effects on health of crime prevention; this is probably the first study approaching this subject directly for the area of domestic burglary. Emerging Health Impact Assessment (HIA) methods offer mechanisms for identifying and exploring the potential links between health and non-health policies, programmes or projects (Lock, 2000). The current rapid HIA study has applied an 'off-the-shelf' method for HIA, the Merseyside Guidelines (Scott-Samuel et al., 1998) to the Home Office's national Reducing Burglary Initiative (RBI), both prospectively and retrospectively in selected local case study projects. Details: Liverpool: Urban Research and Policy Evaluation Regional Research Laboratory (URPERRL), University of Liverpool, 2001. 89p., app. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 6, 2015 at: http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/item.aspx?RID=44393 Year: 2001 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/item.aspx?RID=44393 Shelf Number: 135522 Keywords: Burglary (U.K.)Crime PreventionDomestic BurglaryFear of CrimePsychological Health |
Author: Janke, Katharina Title: Does Violent Crime Deter Physical Activity? Summary: Crime has been argued to have important externalities. We investigate the relationship between violent crime and an important type of behaviour: individuals' participation in their local area through walking and physical activity. We use a sample of nearly 1 million people residing in over 320 small areas in England between 2005 and 2011. We show that concerns about personal safety co-move with police recorded violent crime. To identify the causal effect of recorded violent crime on walking and other physical activity we control for individual-level characteristics, non-time varying local authority effects, national time effects and local authority-specific trends. In addition, we exploit a natural experiment that caused a sudden increase in crime - the 2011 England riots - to identify the causal impact of a large exogenous crime shock on physical activity in a triple difference framework. Our results show a substantive deterrent effect of local area violent crime on walking, pointing to important effects of violent crime on non-victims. The adverse effect of an increase in local area violent crime from the 25th to the 75th percentile on walking is equivalent in size to a 6 degrees Celsius fall in average minimum temperature. Details: Bonn: Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), 2013. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Discussion Paper No. 7545: Accessed May 26, 2015 at: http://ftp.iza.org/dp7545.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://ftp.iza.org/dp7545.pdf Shelf Number: 129794 Keywords: Fear of CrimePhysical ActivityRiotsViolent Crime |
Author: Bruck, Tilman Title: Comparing the Determinants of Concern about Terrorism and Crime Summary: Both crime and terrorism impose costs onto society through the channels of fear and worry. Identifying and targeting groups which are especially affected by worries might be one way to reduce the total costs of these two types of insecurity. However, compared to the drivers of the fear of crime, the determinants of concerns regarding global terrorism are less well known. Using nationally representative survey data, we analyse and compare the individual determinants of concern about global terrorism and crime, and show that worries about terrorism are driven by similar determinants as those about crime, which could have important policy implications. We furthermore provide an insight into the structure of the determinants of concerns regarding other public and private goods. Details: Berlin: DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, 2009. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Discussion Paper no. 904: http://www.diw.de/documents/publikationen/73/diw_01.c.99785.de/dp904.pdf Year: 2009 Country: International URL: http://www.diw.de/documents/publikationen/73/diw_01.c.99785.de/dp904.pdf Shelf Number: 136578 Keywords: Fear of CrimeTerrorism |
Author: Hassan, Riaz Title: Islamophobia, social distance and fear of terrorism in Australia: A preliminary report Summary: Immigration and the accompanying ethnic, religious and cultural heterogeneity are the building blocks of modern Australian society. Australia's democratic political system has provided the vital and enduring framework for its development as a prosperous, politically inclusive and socially cohesive society which leads the world on many aspects of social development. An important feature of Australia's political culture is its reliance on objective and reliable information about its social structures in order to frame and develop appropriate public policies for the economic and social advancement of its people. In this regard public institutions such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian universities and the media play a vital and critical role. Australia's democratic system is committed to freedom of membership of religious, ethnic and cultural groups. For many groups, ethnic, cultural and religious group memberships have also been central to the experience of disadvantage in Australia as demonstrated in the case of Indigenous Australians. This report deals with the experience of Australian Muslims. The contact between Muslim fishermen from Indonesia's Sulawesi region and Indigenous Australians dates back to the early eighteenth century but the arrival of Muslims in large numbers is a recent phenomenon. In the past two decades the Muslim population has increased significantly due to immigration and natural increase. According to the 2011 Australian Census there were 476,290 Muslims in Australia of whom about 40 per cent were born in Australia and the rest came from 183 countries, making them one of most ethnically and nationally heterogeneous religious communities. With 2.2 per cent of the Australian population, Islam is now the third largest religion in Australia. According to recent Pew Research Centre demographic projections, by 2050 the number of Australian Muslims will increase to 1.4 million or 5 per cent of the population, making Islam the second largest religion. A number of studies have noted that migrant status and membership of minority religious and cultural groups is central to understanding the experiences of disadvantage in Australia. Muslims are a particularly striking example of how a growing cultural subpopulation experience disadvantage. As noted in a previous report of the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding (2015),Australian Muslims are educationally high achievers, but underemployed and underpaid (Australian Muslims: A Demographic, Social and Economic Profile of Muslims in Australia 2015). This is a preliminary report on the findings of a survey of the perceptions of key religious and cultural groups, with a special focus on Muslims, by a representative sample of 1000 Australian adults. It focuses on their perceptions of Muslims and other religious and ethnic groups with special reference to Islamophobia, social distance and terrorism and how these vary by key demographics, respondent's direct experience with the other groups and other variables. A more detailed report of the findings will follow. This report offers a new metric of social distance that can be applied to key religious and ethnic groups. In relation to Australian Muslims it explores the pattern of Islamophobia and worries about terrorism. This study offers a methodological framework for future larger studies of religious and ethnic relations in Australia and their impact in terms of social and economic disadvantage for subpopulations. Details: Adelaide: International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding, University of South Australia, 2015. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 27, 2016 at: http://www.unisa.edu.au/Global/EASS/MnM/Publications/Islamophobia_report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.unisa.edu.au/Global/EASS/MnM/Publications/Islamophobia_report.pdf Shelf Number: 137664 Keywords: Ethnic GroupsFear of CrimeImmigrantsIslamophobiaMuslimsReligionTerrorism |
Author: Brenig, Mattheus Title: Putting a Price Tag on Security: Subjective Well-Being and Willingness-to-Pay for Crime Reduction in Europe Summary: Using information on life satisfaction and crime from the European Social Survey, we apply the life satisfaction approach (LSA) to determine the relationship between subjective well-being (SWB), income, victimization experience, fear of crime and various regional crime rates across European regions, while controlling for potentially confounding socio-economic variables. We show that fear of crime, criminal victimization and the average regionally perceived fear of crime significantly reduce life satisfaction across Europe. Building upon these results, we quantify the monetary value of improvements in public safety and its valuation in terms of individual well-being. The loss in satisfaction for victimized individuals corresponds to 21,790L. Increasing an average individual's perception within his neighborhood from unsafe to safe yields a benefit equivalent to 12,700L. Our results regarding crime and SWB in Europe largely resemble previous results for different countries and other criminal contexts, whereby using the LSA as a valuation method for public good provision yields similar results as stated preference methods and considerably higher estimates than revealed preference methods Details: Gottingen, Germany: University of Goettingen (Gottingen), 2016. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Discussion Papers, no. 278: Accessed March 16, 2016 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2736933 Year: 2016 Country: Europe URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2736933 Shelf Number: 138253 Keywords: Costs of CrimeCosts of Criminal JusticeCrime PreventionCrime RatesFear of CrimeSecurity |
Author: Birds, Jonathan M. Title: Perceptions of Disorder: Results from Two Las Vegas Tourist Locations Summary: Over the past 30 years, much has been written about the negative consequences that minor disorders and quality of life offenses can have on public places. The literature documents cases where disorder contributed to the deterioration of locations such as the New York City subways, the downtown Civic Center in San Francisco, and MacArthur Park in Los Angeles (Kelling & Coles 1996; Sousa & Kelling 2010). The literature also describes the process by which disorder leads to the decline of public places. According to the 'broken windows' hypothesis (Wilson & Kelling 1982), disorder can generate fear among citizens, causing them to avoid locations where disorder is a problem. These locations, which lack informal social control mechanisms, are potentially vulnerable to more serious forms of crime. Although research provides evidence of a link between disorder and fear, how one perceives disorder is largely "in the eye of the beholder." The literature suggests that an observer's perceptions of disorder depend on the context in which it occurs (Kelling & Coles 1996). Factors such as the amount of disorder, the vulnerability of the observer, and the observer's prior knowledge of the disorderly person or place, for instance, play a role in whether one fears disorder or considers it to be problematic. Given the potential for quality of life offenses to generate fear and cause other community problems, it is important to understand perceptions of disorder in public places. The purpose of this Research in Brief is to examine citizen opinions of personal safety, disorderly activity, and police presence at two locations in Clark County: The Fremont Street Experience and the Las Vegas Strip. These are two public locations that are known for tourism and are therefore important to the region's economy. This study also considers the demographic factors that may be relevant to individual perceptions of disorder, such as age, gender, race, and residency status (i.e., Las Vegas Valley local vs. tourist). Details: Las Vegas, NV: University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Center for Crime and Justice Policy, 2015. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Research in Brief: Accessed March 16, 2016 at: https://www.unlv.edu/sites/default/files/page_files/27/CCJP-PerceptionsOfDisorder.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.unlv.edu/sites/default/files/page_files/27/CCJP-PerceptionsOfDisorder.pdf Shelf Number: 138265 Keywords: Disorderly ConductFear of CrimePersonal SafetyPublic AttitudesPublic PlacesTourism and Crime |
Author: Jagori Title: Report of the Baseline Survey Delhi 2010 Summary: It is a truism that women in the national capital of Delhi feel unsafe in many public spaces, and at all times of the day and night. Cutting across class, profession, they face continuous and different forms of sexual harassment in crowded as well as secluded places, including public transport, cars, markets, roads, public toilets and parks. School and college students are most vulnerable to harassment, particularly rampant in public transport, particularly buses. Unlike men, women experience the city differently and have to devise their own safety strategies to negotiate public spaces during day and night. To address the issue, a joint action research initiative was undertaken by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Delhi, JAGORI, UNIFEM South Asia Regional Office and UN Habitat titled Safe City Free of Violence for Women and Girls, this baseline survey is based on a sample of 5010 women and men, conducted by during the period January - March 2010 by New Concept Information Systems, New Delhi. Conducted to research into factors that create greater safety and inclusion for women in public spaces around the city, the survey gathered and analyzed information about the following: (a) nature and forms of gender-based violence and/or harassment faced by women, (b) spots where these incidents happen and that are perceived to be unsafe and inaccessible to women, (c) strategies adopted by women to defend themselves, (d) role of governing agencies and the police in safeguarding women's rights, and (e) societal perceptions and attitudes to sexual harassment. Some of the findings supported the results of the previous surveys undertaken by Jagori (2007 and 2009). However, there are some new insights as well. The findings of the survey and its recommendations (including interactions with key stakeholders) are part of the strategic framework that will guide interventions to make Delhi a safer city for women, especially those from vulnerable groups. The outcome of the study is expected to feed into further dialogue and planning for improved gender-sensitive infrastructure, mechanisms and programming. Hopefully, this would enable women from diverse backgrounds to realize their fundamental right to work, study and move around without violence and fear. Details: New Delhi: Jagori, 2011. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Safe Cities Free of Violence against Women and Girls Initiative: March 17, 2016 at: http://www.jagori.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Baseline-Survey_layout_for-Print_12_03_2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: India URL: http://www.jagori.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Baseline-Survey_layout_for-Print_12_03_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 138307 Keywords: Fear of CrimeGender-Based ViolencePublic PlacesPublic SafetySexual HarassmentViolence Against Women, Girls |
Author: Stonewall, Sam Dick Title: Homophobic hate crimes and hate incidents Summary: Homophobic hate crimes and incidents occur commonly in the everyday lives of LGB people. Too many LGB people worry about being the victim of crime and feel at risk of being a victim of hate crime. Both the experience and fear of homophobic hate crimes and incidents have a dramatic impact on the quality of life of millions of LGB people. Details: London: Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2016. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Summary 38: Accessed October 17, 2016 at: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/research-summary-38-homophobic-hate-crime_0.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/research-summary-38-homophobic-hate-crime_0.pdf Shelf Number: 145076 Keywords: Bias CrimeFear of CrimeHate CrimesHomophobic Hate Crimes |
Author: Dustmann, Christian Title: The Effect of Local Area Crime on Mental Health Summary: This paper analyses the effect of local crime rates on residents' mental health. Using longitudinal information on individuals' mental well-being, we address the problem of sorting and endogenous moving behaviour. We find that crime causes considerable mental distress for residents, mainly driven by property crime. Effects are stronger for females, and mainly related to depression and anxiety. The distress caused by one standard deviation increase in local crime is 2-4 times larger than that caused by a one standard deviation decrease in local employment, and about one seventh of the short-term impact of the 7 July 2005 London Bombings. Details: London: Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration Department of Economics, University College London , 2014. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: CReAM Discussion Paper Series, no. 28/14: Accessed November 17, 2016 at: http://www.cream-migration.org/publ_uploads/CDP_28_14.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.cream-migration.org/publ_uploads/CDP_28_14.pdf Shelf Number: 144855 Keywords: Communities and CrimeCrime RatesFear of CrimeMental HealthNeighborhoods and Crime |
Author: Boda, Zsolt Title: Report on an empirical assessment of fear of crime and Punitive Sentiment across Europe Summary: The research project FIDUCIA (New European Crimes and Trust-based Policy) is funded primarily by the European Commission from the 7th Framework Programme for Research. FIDUCIA will shed light on a number of distinctively 'new European' criminal behaviors that have emerged in the last decade as a consequence of technology developments and in the increased mobility of populations across Europe. The central idea behind the project is that public trust in justice is important for social regulation, and proposes a 'trust-based' policy model in relation to emerging forms of criminality. Work package 4 reviews what is currently known about fear of crime, trust in justice and punitive attitudes of citizens across Europe. The theoretical assumption is that current public opinion about crime across Europe will shift in the wake of new forms of crime and new inter-ethnic tensions. Nurtured in part by tabloid media and radicalizing political discourse, "popular punitive" sentiments are characterized among other things by an emphasis on unexpected and growing crime, the blaming of certain social groups, distrust in the police and justice, and the endorsement of harsh, punitive measures. D4.3 reports on an empirical assessment of punitive sentiment across Europe using the European Social Survey Data. This analysis offers new and important insights into the phenomenon of ‘punitivity’ across Europe. We have examined two pairs of measures of punitivity: subjective measures of public opinion, and actual-penal-practice punitivity. We have labelled our two measures of subjective punitivity 'expressive' and 'considered'. Expressive punitivity reflects a desire for tougher penalties and considered punitivity reflects preferences for heavy sentences in a sentencing exercise. We have presented two measures of country-level punitivity in actual-penal-practice: numbers of prisoners per 100,000 population, and number of prisoners per 1,000 recorded crimes. Details: Fiducia (New European Crimes and Trust-Based Policy), 2012. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed November 17, 2016 at: http://www.fiduciaproject.eu/media/press_releases/9/D4.3%20Report%20on%20an%20empirical%20assessment%20of%20fear%20of%20crime%20and%20punitive%20sentiment%20across%20Europe.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://www.fiduciaproject.eu/media/press_releases/9/D4.3%20Report%20on%20an%20empirical%20assessment%20of%20fear%20of%20crime%20and%20punitive%20sentiment%20across%20Europe.pdf Shelf Number: 144859 Keywords: Fear of CrimePublic AttitudesPublic OpinionPunishment |
Author: Laxminarayan, Malini Title: Can Conflict Resolution Reduce Fear in Crime Victims? A case study of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal Summary: Over 50 million people have been displaced from their homes into refugee camps in countries around the world. Accounts of insecurity in refugee camps are pervasive. This insecurity is due to crime, the presence of military elements and (forcible) recruitment of refugees into rebel and military movements, and high rates of sexual and gender-based violence. Concern over personal security and fear is often high in these settings. Refugees’ experiences of persecution contributes to this fear and can combine with experiences of victimization to increase fear in camp settings. At the same time, research on justice and legal processes suggests that conflict resolution procedures that respond to criminal behavior may, when well conducted, play a role in alleviating fear. This working paper examines different aspects of conflict resolution within Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal and investigates, using research conducted in 2011, the role of these factors in reducing fear among crime victims. The findings show that several factors relating to both legal processes and outcomes play a significant role in reducing fear among victims. The implications of these findings are discussed. Details: The Hague: Hague Institute for Global Justice, 2015. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Working paper 12: Accessed December 15, 2016 at: http://www.thehagueinstituteforglobaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Bhutanese-Refugees-Nepal.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.thehagueinstituteforglobaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Bhutanese-Refugees-Nepal.pdf Shelf Number: 146160 Keywords: Conflict ResolutionFear of CrimeRefugeesVictims of Crime |
Author: Pew Research Center Title: Why Own a Gun? Protection Is Now Top Reason Summary: The vast majority of gun owners say that having a gun makes them feel safer. And far more today than in 1999 cite protection – rather than hunting or other activities – as the main reason they own guns. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in February found that nearly half of gun owners (48%) volunteer that the main reason they own a gun is for protection; just 32% say they have a gun primarily for hunting and even fewer cite other reasons, such as target shooting. That's 22 percentage points higher than 1999 when 26% cited protection as the biggest factor and 49% said they owned a gun mostly for hunting. About a quarter of Americans (24%) say they personally own a gun, rifle or pistol; another 13% say another person in their household has a gun. A large percentage of gun owners (79%) say having a gun makes them feel safer. At the same time, nearly as many (78%) say that owning a gun is something they enjoy. Most Americans (57%) say they do not have a gun in their household. Most of the non-gun owners (58%) say that they would be uncomfortable having a gun in their homes; 40% say they would be comfortable having a gun. Details: Washington, DC: Pew Research Center, 2013. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 20, 2016 at: http://www.people-press.org/2013/03/12/why-own-a-gun-protection-is-now-top-reason/ Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.people-press.org/2013/03/12/why-own-a-gun-protection-is-now-top-reason/ Shelf Number: 147778 Keywords: Fear of crimeGun OwnershipGun-Related ViolenceGuns |
Author: Moestue, Helen Title: "When Kids Call the Shots": Testing a Child Security Index in Recife, Brazil Summary: The Child Security Index (CSI) is a comprehensive assessment of children's perception of everyday violence. It consists of a digital survey that registers their fears, hopes, thoughts, beliefs and day-to-day experiences. The CSI is an open source application and online dashboard that spatially and temporally maps survey-collected data. The CSI was designed to identify the views of children between 8 and 12 years old, and for younger children through the use of adult proxy informants. It offers a platform to facilitate children's participation in understanding how they experience insecurity. The goal is to shine a light on the scale of the problem in low-income settings. This Strategic Paper describes the first pilot study of the Child Security Index (CSI) and its usage as an open source application to capture children's perceptions on violence. The app was tested in hot spot neighborhoods in Recife, capital city of Pernambuco state in Brazil. The survey collected data showed that the gender and age of respondents were more important explanatory factors than location. Younger children in particular reported lower levels of insecurity in comparison to adolescents and adults. Gender-based differences regarding perceived levels of insecurity in certain spaces, especially public venues, were also noted among teens, with girls expressing more fear of outside spaces than boys. The experience in Recife demonstrated that the CSI as a digital survey app can be used as a rapid security assessment technology which can also be adapted to other research questions and contexts. Details: Rio de Janeiro: Igarapé Institute. 2015. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Strategic Paper 18: Accessed March 4, 2017 at: https://igarape.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/AE-18_CSI-Recife_EN-27-11_2.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Brazil URL: https://igarape.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/AE-18_CSI-Recife_EN-27-11_2.pdf Shelf Number: 141326 Keywords: Children and ViolenceCrime HotspotsFear of CrimeViolence |
Author: Fuentes, Johanan Rivera Title: Crime Hype in Mexico: A fierce battle for attention Summary: The way media covers drug-related violence in Mexico generates more violence because it responds to the publicity-seeking behavior of Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs). My analysis shows that excessive media coverage in violent states translates into more narcomantas and that high numbers of narcomantas are positively and strongly correlated with high levels of violence. The incentive for DTOs to 'publish' a narcomanta in response to media coverage in violent states is three times larger than in states with average violence. My projections show that in extremely violent states a shock in coverage generates an average increase of 1.6 narcomantas during the following week. DTOs use media attention to build reputation and increase the perception of insecurity. The way media covers violence in Mexico is generating feelings of fear and danger in the population. The 2011 Survey on Public Safety and Governance in Mexico shows that common offenses such as house robberies and street assaults have not changed much since the early 2000s. However, insecurity perception has increased to the point that, today, over 80 percent of the population is afraid of being victims of these crimes. Fear and insecurity perception can make the population an easy target for extortion, local authorities an easy target for corruption and hinder reporting. The situation is now at a point where action is needed. The best method for promoting a more responsible behavior while protecting media freedom is self-regulation since it originates from a multi-stakeholder open discussion on editorial guidelines and accountability mechanisms. I recommend the following next steps should be taken in the next six months to build a strong self-regulatory media environment: - Create a code of editorial guidelines to reporting on publicity-seeking crimes. Each code of ethics responds to the peculiarities of the media and its context, hence it can be tailored to the sensitivities of the Mexican society and democracy. - Institute a self-regulatory body that oversees completion of the code and has a complaint system open to the public. These bodies can have different forms such as ombudsmen, press councils, editorial committees, etc. - Introduce training programs for journalists. Good reporting on publicity-seeking crimes requires a lengthier and more thoughtful narrative. Additionally, journalists reporting on violence and conflict should know how to assess risks in threatening environments and be trained in digital as well as physical security. - Design a campaign to raise awareness among the population. Raising awareness is about creating civic engagement. Without civil engagement self-regulation compliance becomes almost impossible. Setting up a self-regulatory system will prevent the media from furthering DTOs objectives. This will help raise professional standards, strengthen the social standing of journalism in the country while increasing the quality of information people receive and reducing publicity-seeking violence. Details: Cambridge, MA: Harvard Kennedy School, 2013. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 2, 2017 at: http://ksghauser.harvard.edu/index.php/content/download/66767/1239878/version/1/file/SYPA_JohananRivera_2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Mexico URL: http://ksghauser.harvard.edu/index.php/content/download/66767/1239878/version/1/file/SYPA_JohananRivera_2013.pdf Shelf Number: 145247 Keywords: Drug TraffickingDrug-Related ViolenceFear of CrimeHomicidesKidnappingsMedia and CrimePublicityViolent Crime |
Author: Martinez, Denis Roberto Title: Youth under the Gun: Violence, Fear, and Resistance in Urban Guatemala Summary: This study examines how violence affects youth in marginalized urban communities, focusing on the experiences of three groups of young people: gang members, activists, and the "jovenes encerrados", youth who live confined to their homes due to fear. Based on 14 months of ethnographic research in El Mezquital, an extensive marginalized urban area in Guatemala City, I explore the socio-economic conditions that trigger violence in these communities, the responses of young people and the community to violence, and the State's role in exacerbating violence in impoverished neighborhoods. In this dissertation I argue that gang members and activists are expressing a deep-seated social discontent against the exclusion, humiliation, and social stigmatization faced by young people in marginalized urban neighborhoods. However, the two groups express their discontent in significantly different ways. Initially, gangs used violence to express their discontent, but they gradually resorted to a perverse game of crime, in complicity with the police, and they distanced themselves from their own communities; in this work I analyze gangs' process of transformation and the circumstances that led to this change. Activists express their discontent through community art and public protest, but their demonstrations have limited social impact, since public attention continues to focus on gangs; here I examine activists' motivations, struggles, and obstacles. However, the vast majority of young people live in a state of fear, preferring to keep quiet and withdraw into their homes; here I show how violence, fear, and distrust affect the generation born into postwar Guatemala. This study illustrates the perverse role of the State in impoverished urban neighborhoods and its responsibility for the escalation of urban violence in Guatemala. On the one hand, the State shuns residents from these neighborhoods and systematically denies them basic services; it criminalizes and abuses young people, even forming social cleansing groups to eliminate gang members. On the other hand, the State fosters crime in these communities and acts as gangs' accomplice in extortions, drug trade, and robberies. As in many other Latin American countries, the Guatemalan State penalizes crime, but simultaneously encourages and benefits from it; the State is complicit in crime. Details: Austin, TX: University of Texas at Austin, 2014. 263p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 27, 2017 at: https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/28318/MARTINEZ-DISSERTATION-2014.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2014 Country: Guatemala URL: https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/28318/MARTINEZ-DISSERTATION-2014.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 145831 Keywords: Fear of CrimeGang-Related ViolenceGangsNeighborhoods and CrimePovertySocioeconomic conditions and CrimeUrban Areas and CrimeViolenceViolent Crime |
Author: Stakic, Isidora Title: Perceptions of Personal Safety and Perceptions of Security Threats at the Local Level: A Comparative Overview of Serbia, Kosovo and Albania Summary: This comparative analysis of the results of public opinion surveys in Serbia, Kosovo and Albania indicates a relatively strong feeling of personal safety among respondents from all three communities. However, respondents do not see that state institutions contribute to this situation, and they are mostly dissatisfied with the performance of security institutions. Human security concerns are similar in all three communities, but their different ranking shows the different priorities of the three communities. Another important finding is that the Serbian community living in North Kosovo has different security perceptions from the rest of Kosovo's population. The paper written by Isidora Stakic presents comparatively citizens' views of their personal safety and security at the local level, as surveyed in Albania, Kosovo and Serbia in October 2013. The survey was conducted using the same questionnaire in all three communities, taking a representative sample of citizens. In Serbia, 1200 citizens were interviewed, including a sub-sample of 200 citizens in Southern Serbia (the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja). The survey in Kosovo encompassed 1119 respondents, including 100 ethnic Serbs residing in North Kosovo. In Albania, 1100 citizens were interviewed. The analysis is complemented by data from 2014 and 2015 in order to show the trends in citizens' perceptions of personal safety and local security. The publication is a part of the joint initiative "Security Research Forum Belgrade-Prishtina-Tirana", run by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS) and the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) from Tirana. Details: Belgrade : Belgrade Centre for Security Policy ; Prishtina : Kosovar Center for Security Studies ; Tirana : Institute for Democrarcy and Mediation, 2016 (Beograd : Unagraf, 2016. 13p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 18, 2017 at: http://www.bezbednost.org/upload/document/perceptions_of_personal_safety_in_serbia_kosovo_an.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Europe URL: http://www.bezbednost.org/upload/document/perceptions_of_personal_safety_in_serbia_kosovo_an.pdf Shelf Number: 147381 Keywords: Fear of CrimePersonal SecurityPublic Opinion |
Author: Te, Funk Title: Human Versus Technology: Comparing the Effect of Private Security Patrol and Crime Prevention Information System Over the Crime Level and Safety Perception Summary: Crime reduction became one of the major issues of the modern society. In order to achieve public reassurance, police forces all over the world are undertaking actions to involve citizens in crime prevention through community policing. In parallel, technological platforms were deployed in order to share crime-related information with the public and to support the development of problem-solving strategies. However, the impact of these initiatives in terms of crime reduction and perception has not been sufficiently investigated yet. Furthermore, up to now, no previous studies compared the effectiveness between the traditional approach of preventive patrolling and technology-based crime prevention solutions. Therefore, we present a study design which aims at assessing the effectiveness of the two aforementioned crime prevention measures. The goal is to evaluate and compare their effects over the local criminal activity and citizen's safety perception measured by Fear of Crime (FOC) and Perceived Risk of Victimization (PRV) constructs. Preliminary results show a rather low level of FOC across the whole sample, paired by a high level of PRV. Furthermore, potential explanatory background factors for the previous constructs have been identified and will be explored in future work. Details: Association for Information Systems, 2016. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Research-in-Progress Papers. 48: Accessed October 17, 2017 at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1072&context=ecis2016_rip Year: 2016 Country: Switzerland URL: https://aisel.aisnet.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1072&context=ecis2016_rip Shelf Number: 147711 Keywords: Crime PreventionFear of CrimePolice TechnologyPreventive PatrolPrivate SecuritySecurity Guards |
Author: Berge, Sandra van den Title: "It could be anyone, but...": Othering in a context of crime, fear and segregation in Sao Paulo. Summary: The middle and upper classes in Sao Paulo have developed an array of strategies to cope with their fear of becoming a victim of crime and violence, the most radical being the increasing withdrawal from public space behind physical and guarded barriers. Although several forms of socio-spatial segregation exist, the most radical one perhaps is residential segregation, in the form of gated communities. However, the fear people feel may be disproportionate to the reality of crime and violence in contemporary Sao Paulo. The discourse of fear, which the enormous rise in violent crime in the 1980s and 1990s has given rise to, has been strongly influenced by the media, but has also influenced the image people have of what they perceive as the dangerous Other. Nevertheless, although rates of violence have dropped sharply in Sao Paulo since the turn of the century, perceived levels of danger continue high. This thesis argues that the image of the dangerous Other is not only about fear caused by contemporary levels of crime or violence, and has also been influenced by stereotyped ideas about the Other that stem from before the rise in violent crime. Lacking nuanced information due to limited social interaction contributes to the persistence of stereotyped images, contributing to a fear of the Other. Details: Utrecht: Universiteit Utrecht, 2013. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed November 3, 2017 at: https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/262978 Year: 2013 Country: Brazil URL: https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/262978 Shelf Number: 147983 Keywords: Crime Prevention Fear of CrimeGated Communities Violence Violent Crime |
Author: Gallison, Jordana Kimberly Title: Fear and loathing on public transportation: Applying a spatial framework to crime patterns on Vancouver's Canada Line SkyTrain System Summary: The expansion of mass forms of public transportation systems have often been resisted due to fears and concerns over an increased level of crime. The following study seeks to determine whether the SkyTrain's Canada Line has increased levels of reported crime in six criminal offence categories: commercial burglary, residential burglary, mischief, theft, theft from vehicle, and theft of vehicle between January 2003 and December 2015 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Time series regression, panel data analysis, and spatial point pattern tests are applied to determine whether such concerns should be merited or disregarded in the study of crime and transportation. Results demonstrate that census tracts that host a Canada Line SkyTrain station do not increase levels of crime. Rather, census tracts that host multiple SkyTrain stations and/or are situated in socially disorganized neighbourhoods are at a higher level of risk for criminal victimization. These findings are critical in removing the negative stigma surrounding mass forms of public transportation systems. Additionally, these results assist local police, transit authorities, and urban planners to create appropriate crime prevention strategies to prevent crime while restructuring public discourse about the potential criminogenic effects from public transportation systems. Details: Burnaby, BC: Simon Fraser University, 2017. 185p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed December 5, 2018 at: http://summit.sfu.ca/item/17735 Year: 2017 Country: Canada URL: http://summit.sfu.ca/item/17735 Shelf Number: 151396 Keywords: Fear of CrimeMass Transit Public Transportation Transit Crime Transit Safety |
Author: Plan International Title: Unsafe in the City: Sydney Summary: Free to Be is a crowd-mapping website that enables young women to identify and share the location of public spaces that make them feel uneasy and scared or happy and safe, implemented in Sydney in April-May 2018. It was designed in collaboration with Crowdspot, Monash University XYX Lab and young women within the city. Based on Plan International's extensive experience of working with girls and young women in cities through our Safer Cities programme, the research sought to understand more about the experiences of girls and young women. As well as Sydney, Free to Be has been implemented in Delhi, Kampala, Lima, Madrid and Melbourne. The Free to Be tool comprised an interactive map of the city and a survey which allowed girls and young women to drop 'pins' on the map - good or bad - and answer questions about their experiences there, as well as leave comments. A group of young women in Sydney were involved in the design and promotion of the tool, as well as having an opportunity to reflect on the findings to support analysis. In total, 2,083 pins were dropped on spots of the Sydney map, of which 25% denoted good experiences (516) and 75% bad (1,567). Good places were characterised by being busy, often with working people. This was closely followed by the place having a good 'community environment' or being well known to the participant. The threat of sexual harassment with and without physical contact was the main issue identified in connection with bad pins. Over two-thirds of the comments on bad pins included sexual harassment of some kind and 63% of all the pins identified gender-based discrimination as a factor. Discrimination based on ethnicity was identified in 10% of the pins (the highest of all the cities), usually alongside gender discrimination, highlighting the intersectional nature of discrimination and harassment in Sydney. On the street was the most likely location for bad pins, often alongside to/from work or school and public transport. Strong negative clusters tended to form around train stations and bus interchanges. These data demonstrate the compromised freedom for young women and girls moving around their city. Harassment directed at young women and girls, and especially those of the LGBTIQA community, is apparently exacerbated by the lockout laws in Sydney, and the lack of public transport available at corresponding hours. This indicates the complexity of access to, and safety in, the city - an intervention brought in to protect one part of the community increased the pressure on others. Women and girls change their behaviour in response to these challenges: nearly half of those recording bad pins (47%) avoided the area if they were alone and 12% simply never went back to the location. When asked how they responded to bad incidents, 20 participants reported that they stopped studying or quit their job because of their experiences. For more than a third of all the pins (36%), young women were resigned to the fact that such incidents are so frequent that they are used to it. Consequently, they take their own precautions such as walking fast through such areas with their phones at the ready. Reporting of events to the authorities was low at 9%, and in more than two-thirds of these cases (69%), the authorities apparently did nothing. Based on these findings, young women in Sydney made the following recommendations: 1) Behaviour change: - Changing the blame culture: listen to and act upon the stories of women and girls - Challenging toxic masculinity - Allies and bystanders: empowering them to call out harassment and intervene safely 2) Girls' participation in decision-making: listen to and work with girls and young women, respect their experiences and recommendations, and involve them in co-designing their cities. 3) Enforcement and accountability: - Strengthening reporting mechanisms - Improving the responsiveness of security services and the police - Clarification of laws and enforcement regarding street harassment Details: Melbourne: Plan International, 2018. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 3, 2018 at: http://apo.org.au/system/files/196691/apo-nid196691-1025636.pdf Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: http://apo.org.au/system/files/196691/apo-nid196691-1025636.pdf Shelf Number: 153246 Keywords: Crime AnalysisCrime HotspotsCrime MappingFear of CrimePublic SafetySexual AssaultSexual HarassmentViolence Against Women |
Author: Couttenier, Mathieu Title: The Logic of Fear - Populism and Media Coverage of Immigrant Crimes Summary: We study how news coverage of immigrant criminality impacted municipality-level votes in the November 2009 "minaret ban" referendum in Switzerland. The campaign, successfully led by the populist Swiss People's Party, played aggressively on fears of Muslim immigration and linked Islam with terrorism and violence. We combine an exhaustive violent crime detection dataset with detailed information on crime coverage from 12 newspapers. The data allow us to quantify the extent of pre-vote media bias in the coverage of migrant criminality. We then estimate a theory-based voting equation in the cross-section of municipalities. Exploiting random variations in crime occurrences, we find a first-order, positive effect of news coverage on political support for the minaret ban. Counterfactual simulations show that, under a law forbidding newspapers to disclose a perpetrator's nationality, the vote in favor of the ban would have decreased by 5 percentage points (from 57.6% to 52.6%). Details: London: Centre for Economic Policy Research, 2019. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Discussion Paper DP13496: Accessed February 15, 2019 at: https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=13496# Year: 2019 Country: Switzerland URL: https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=13496# Shelf Number: 154619 Keywords: Fear of CrimeImmigrants and CrimeMass CommunicationsMedia and CrimeMuslimsNewspapersViolent Crime |
Author: Commins, Stephen Title: From Urban Fragility to Urban Stability Summary: HIGHLIGHTS - The share of Africa's urban residents living in slums is steadily rising, an outgrowth of the continent's rapidly expanding population. Meanwhile, residents of African cities report among the highest levels of fear of violence in the world. - The inability of government institutions to resolve or at least mitigate conflicts over land, property rights, and services for urban residents, coupled with either absent or heavy-handed responses of security agencies in African slums, is contributing to a growing mistrust of African security and justice institutions. - Integrated urban development strategies - involving local government, police, justice institutions, the private sector, and youth - are necessary to build trust and adapt policies that strengthen economic opportunities, social cohesion, and security in Africa's cities. Details: Los Angelos, California: Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2018. 11p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 18, 2019 at: https://africacenter.org/publication/from-urban-fragility-to-urban-stability/ Year: 2018 Country: Africa URL: https://africacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ASB35EN-From-Urban-Fragility-to-Urban-Stability.pdf Shelf Number: 154655 Keywords: AfricaCitiesConflicts over LandFear of CrimeLand GovernanceProperty RightsRule of LawSecurity SectorUrban |
Author: Bencsik, Panka Title: Stress on the sidewalk: The mental health costs of close proximity crime Summary: I apply novel, extremely micro-level datasets to provide new evidence on crime's impact on mental health. I find that each reported violent and sexual crime significantly increases the stress levels of those in the vicinity for three days after the crime was committed. The temporal aspect of the effect is specifically driven by violent and sexual crimes committed two days earlier, a lag which suggests the presence of a mediator of the information-word of mouth or the media. To measure that, I scrape news data and observe significant increases in nationwide stress levels in response to the number of articles published on the topic of crime in the domestic news section of multiple daily newspapers. I measure crime's effect on stress by merging a unique daily response panel dataset that has over 75,000 responses from 2010 to 2017 in the Thames Valley region of England with secure access data containing every reported crime in the same region with exact location, time, and event characteristics. The result that violent and sexual crimes increase stress holds with extensive controls for individual fixed effects, circumstantial characteristics, and spatial fixed effects, including fixed effects for the smallest level of census geography in England that contain only an average of 250 people. Details: unpublished paper, 2018. 31p. Source: Internet Resource: Job market paper: Accessed April 5, 2019 at: https://ideas.repec.org/p/jmp/jm2018/pbe976.html Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://ideas.repec.org/p/jmp/jm2018/pbe976.html Shelf Number: 155349 Keywords: Crime and Mental Health Crime and Place Fear of CrimeMental Health |