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Fear of Crime Among Residents of Rural Counties: an Analysis by Gender

NCJ Number
252555
Journal
Journal of Crime & Justice Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: 2018 Pages: 383-397
Author(s)
Breanne Pleggenkuhle; Joseph A. Schafer
Date Published
2018
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Since research often overlooks rural populations in explaining criminal justice phenomena, despite variant social and economic patterns, this study examined fear of crime among rural residents, particularly in relation to social experiences, prior victimization, and respondent characteristics; gender In particular was considered as a factor related to fear of crime, not only as a covariate but in the unique patterns of fear of crime in a comparison of males and females.
Abstract
Using survey data from a nationally representative sample, the results demonstrate some parallels but also some departure from prior fear of crime research. The results indicate social perceptions differ in rural spaces, highlighting the importance of broader social experiences in explaining fear of crime. The findings demonstrate predictive mechanisms operate differently for males and females regarding their fear of crime. Overall, these findings improve the understanding of fear of crime in different settings and by gender. (publisher abstract modified)