NCJ Number
166802
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 24 Issue: 1 & 2 Dated: (January & July 1996) Pages: 37-43
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Fear of crime, as an indication of the impact of crime on society, has gained importance in recent times, and this study explores the relationship between victimization experiences and fear levels in an urban area of Madras, India.
Abstract
Of 437 households in the study sample, 139 had been victims of theft, burglary, or other crimes. A multiple item index was constructed to measure fear of crime and the victimization experience. Fear of crime was defined to include individual feelings about safety and security and subjective apprehensions about being victimized by crime. The victimization experience was assessed by measuring personal victimization experiences, frequency of victimization, vicarious victimization, treatment of victims by police, and treatment of victims by courts. Study results demonstrated a close relationship between components of the victimization experience and fear of crime. The victimization experience not only produced a ripple effect where it affected people living in different neighborhoods but also a chain reaction that altered social cohesion. Among victims who had experience with the criminal justice system (police and courts), those who had better experiences reported lower fear levels. 8 references and 6 tables