NCJ Number
48894
Journal
URBAN LIFE AND CULTURE Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (OCTOBER 1973) Pages: 259-287
Date Published
1973
Length
29 pages
Annotation
INTERVIEWS WITH 24 MUGGINGS VICTIMS ARE ANALYZED TO DOCUMENT CHANGES IN VICTIM'S PERCEPTIONS OF STREET CRIME AND CHANGES IN THEIR FEELINGS AND BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
IN EVERY MUGGING INCIDENT, THE VICTIM WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE. IN MOST CASES THE INITIAL APPROACH BY THE ATTACKERS WAS VIEWED AS A JOKE, AS AN ATTEMPT TO PANHANDLE, OR AS SOME OTHER NONTHREATENING SITUATION. ASSUMPTIONS OF INVULNERABILITY AND TRUST WERE TYPICAL OF MOST RESPONDENTS PRIOR TO THEIR MUGGING. SUCH ASSUMPTIONS ARE PSYCHOLOGICALLY NECESSARY TO ENABLE PERSONS TO GO ABOUT DAILY ROUTINES WITH RELATIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL EASE. HOWEVER, AFTER THE MUGGINGS, THESE ASSUMPTIONS WERE ABANDONED, RESULTING IN A PARALYSIS OR AN INABILITY TO PERFORM AS BEFORE. THE VICTIMS AVOIDED THE SCENE OF THE MUGGING AND BEGAN TO WALK IN PAIRS, WHILE MOST OF THE WOMEN DISCONTINUED CARRYING PURSES. THE MORE EDUCATED, MIDDLE-CLASS VICTIMS TENDED TO APOLIGIZE FOR SUCH BEHAVIOR. THE BIGGEST CHANGE WAS A DISTRUST OF PEOPLE, A CONDITION SIMILAR TO THAT FOUND IN POLICEMEN AND OTHERS WHO FREQUENTLY ENCOUNTER DANGER. THIS CHANGE IN ATTITUDE WAS REINFORCED BY FRIENDS AND COWORKERS AND THE VICTIMS FREQUENTLY REPORTED THAT NEIGHBORHOOD SOCIAL ACQUAINTANCES WERE BANDING TOGETHER AND 'KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR EACH OTHER.' THE MUGGING AFFECTS NOT ONLY THE VICTIM BUT A WIDENING CIRCLE OF CITIZENS WHO REALIZED THAT THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS A 'SAFE PLACE' ARE NO LONGER ENTIRELY VALID. THIS COMMUNICATION PROCESS HAS TWO ADDITIONAL DIMENSIONS. THE POLICE AND HOSPITAL PERSONNEL ARE LIKELY TO TELL THE VICTIM HOW COMMON THE OCCURRENCE IS, WHILE OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED COME FORTH WITH THEIR STORIES. THESE INTERCHANGES, INTURN, REINFORCE THE FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS. VICTIMS OFTEN TURN TO ILLEGAL MEANS OF SELF-DEFENSE AND BECOME QUITE SUSPICIOUS OF OTHERS. ALL OF THESE EVENTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE COLLECTIVE IMAGE OF THE CITY AS AN URBAN JUNGLE. FOOTNOTES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)