Fear of Crime and Its Relationship to Directly and Indirectly Experienced Victimization: A Binational Comparison of Models (From Developments in Crime and Crime Control Research, P 87-125, 1991, Klaus Sessar and Hans-Jurgen Kerner, eds. -- See NCJ-127801)

• NCJ Number: 127807
• Author(s): H Arnold
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 39 pages
• Sale Source: Springer-Verlag
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Germany (Unified)
• Note: Revised version of a paper presented at the 10th International Congress on Criminology, Hamburg, Germany, September 1988.

Annotation

This study examines the relationship between fear of crime and indirect (vicarious) as well as direct victimization based on surveys in the United States (Texas) and West Germany. The models developed explain fear of crime for each country; the differences and similarities are examined.

Abstract

The variables used as predictors of fear of crime are similar in structure and effect within the models examined. Because the same factors are operative in predicting fear of crime in both nations, this provides support for the theory of a general process of societal production of fear of crime. Direct recent and former victimization apparently has little or no influence on the fear of future victimization. In contrast, indirect (vicarious) victimization contributes significantly to the prediction of fear of crime in the surveys. Analysis of interactions among variables indicates that the relevance of victimization experiences for the origin and rises of fear of crime is less evidence on the general level (over all subgroups averaged) than for subgroups defined by respondent characteristics, such as sex and age. The models examined are preliminary efforts that must be improved through additional research that differentiates other factors in the fear of crime. 10 tables and 95 references