NCJ Number
150163
Journal
Deviance et societe Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: (December Trimester 1993) Pages: 385-418
Date Published
1993
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This article investigates the interrelations between fear, the risk of becoming a crime victim, and social behavior as they are depicted in crime research.
Abstract
Previous French studies have denied a correlation between the fear of becoming a crime victim and the statistical risk of victimization. In fact, those who express most fear of crime are statistically least likely to become victims. However, this article places itself in the context of several Anglo-Saxon studies (Balkin; Stafford and Galle) which reveal a different connection between fear of crime, risk of victimization, and social behavior. Specifically, as the objective risk of crime increases, potential victims modify their lifestyles in such a way that actual victimization becomes less likely. Thus, risk of victimization and fear of victimization are not proportionally related. In 1987-88, the author conducted his own attitude survey with a random sample population of 1,692 subjects in the French town of L'Isere, exploring how fear of crime and risk of victimization had affected the subjects' social behavior. The results showed that the threat of crime produced a syndrome consisting of fear, social withdrawal (e.g., deciding not to go out in the evening, avoiding public areas), narrow-mindedness, and hostility toward strangers. Numerous charts, graphs, and mathematical formulas are included. 18 references