NCJ Number
224648
Date Published
July 2008
Length
28 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study was to present information about the extent to which fear of crime differed across neighborhoods in Canadian urban areas, and to assess whether the characteristics of individuals and/or neighborhoods explained this variation.
Abstract
The results of this study showed that while the characteristics and perceptions of individuals were most important in explaining differences in fear among urban Canadians, a statistically significant portion of the variation in fear was attributable to the neighborhood environment. Numerous studies have observed that the negative consequences of crime extend beyond crime victims themselves. In particular, fear of crime has been identified as a widespread social problem that can influence individuals’ health and well-being. Much of the current Canadian research has been aimed at understanding the characteristics of individuals who are at greatest risk of experiencing fear of crime. The purpose of this research was to examine whether the chances of experiencing fear of crime varied across Canadian urban neighborhoods, and whether factors associated with individuals and their neighborhoods explained this variation. In addition, the study aimed to understand how Canadians’ perceptions of neighborhood crime and disorder influenced their chances of experiencing fear. Analyzes were based on data from the 2004 General Social Survey (GSS) on Victimization and the 2001 Census. Tables, bibliography, and appendix