NCJ Number
197726
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International Journal Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: 2002 Pages: 23-32
Editor(s)
Rob Mawby
Date Published
2002
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the analysis of an Australian survey of women which found that their fear of crime was founded on social and economic vulnerability, concern for the safety of other family members, and their personal experience of physical violence.
Abstract
A brief overview of recent research on the multidimensional aspects of fear of crime begins this article. The data used for this study were obtained from the Women's Safety Survey conducted from February to April 1996 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. A total of 6,333 women, 18 years of age or older, were surveyed, one each from selected households. The focus of this survey was to measure the physical and sexual violence perpetrated on women by both males and females, and data were also collected on abuse, harassment, and women's feelings of safety within their home and community. It is noted that measurements of exposure to risk and seriousness of consequences were not obtainable from this data. Figures and tables include distribution of the measure of fear of crime according to selected factors; relative odds of fear of crime; women's fear of crime, labor status, age, living arrangements and relative odds of fear of crime; women not in the labor force: age, partnership arrangements; and odds of fear of crime; women aged 55 years and over with no partner: labor force status and odds of fear of crime; and violent victimization and women's fear of crime. It was found that women's fear of crime was based on many factors, with physical and social vulnerability playing a key role in shaping their perceptions. Also, altruistic fear was found to be a greater concern for women with partners. Personal experience of violence was found to give a dose of rationality to their perceptions of fear of violence both in the home and in the community. In conclusion, it is recommended that initiatives be aimed at improving women's social and economic status causing them to participate more in community life and improve their perceptions of personal safety.