NCJ Number
133069
Date Published
1991
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This survey was conducted in 1991 using a sample of approximately 500 students in a Chicago public high school to assess crime victimization in or near the school and the gang problem.
Abstract
About one-third of the students reported something worth over $1 had been stolen from them in school or on the way to or from school during the past 2 months. About 1 in 10 reported they had been physically attacked or assaulted, and 12 percent said they had been threatened with violence. About 5 percent indicated they had been robbed. Grade level significantly differentiated self-reported theft victimization but had no significant effect on assault, threats, or robbery. Male students appeared to face a higher risk of assault victimization than female students. Sex had no effect on reports of victimization for theft, threats of violence, or robbery. Most students reported street gangs in their school and indicated they felt threatened by these gangs. Nine percent said they had been recruited to join a gang while in school, and about 2 percent indicated they had been asked to contribute money to gang members for "protection" in school. Over half of the students estimated that over 30 percent of their fellow classmates were gang members. Being affiliated with a gang resulted in a higher probability of being assaulted in school or on the way to or from school. Tables