NCJ Number
127989
Journal
Canadian Journal of Public Health Volume: 81 Dated: (October 1990) Pages: 341-344
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a study of the impact of the Safety Van program for female students living off campus at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It focuses in particular on the relationship between awareness, fear of assault, and program use.
Abstract
Data for the study consisted of program records and self-report questionnaires from 60 users and 60 non-users from the defined target group. Program records indicated that the present van route was adequate, but the seating capacity and frequency of services needed to be increased during heavy demand periods. However, utilization rates can be misleading as the sole basis for changes in services, as indicated by weekend use (high-risk time for assault) which was 50 percent lower than daily weekday use and the lack of awareness of the program by target group. The majority of students used the program for reasons of personal safety rather than convenience. The findings of this study support the relationship between fear of assault and evening activity levels and address issues of program expansion based on utilization rates and program justification based on assault incidence rates. 4 tables and 14 references