Victimization in the Workplace: A Test of Routine Activities Theory

• NCJ Number: 140115
• Journal: Justice Quarterly Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1992) Pages: 325-336
• Author(s): J D Wooldredge; F T Cullen; E J Latessa
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study tests the routine activities theory of victimization through a victimization survey of full-time faculty members at the University of Cincinnati who were working on the west campus between September 1, 1989, and December 31, 1990.

Abstract

Data were collected during the fall quarter of 1990. The survey included questions about personal and property victimizations that occurred on campus between September 1, 1989, and August 31, 1990. It also included questions about the respondents' demographic characteristics, characteristics of their work environment, daily activities while at work, and their feelings of safety on campus. Routine-activities theory states that an individual's likelihood of being victimized by crime is influenced by the extent to which that person's daily activities increase or decrease opportunities for victimization. Based on this theory, this study hypothesized that the likelihoods of personal and property victimizations would be higher for faculty members who spend more time on campus at nights and on weekends, have larger numbers of students in their classes, walk alone on campus more frequently, socialize with students outside class, and spend less time on leave from the university during a given period. Study findings suggest that several aspects of routine activities theory account for individual-level difference in likelihoods of workplace victimization among faculty members. Specifically, activities that increase a faculty member's degree of exposure, such as walking alone on campus more often, socializing with students outside classes, and spending more time on campus after hours and on Saturdays may increase the likelihood of being victimized by personal crime. Also, the level of guardianship over office possessions is a more accurate predictor of the likelihood of property crime than is the attractiveness of those possessions. 2 tables and 17 references