NCJ Number
212438
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: 2005 Pages: 3-28
Date Published
2005
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This study engaged in a descriptive comparison of objective versus subjective experiences of middle-school crime.
Abstract
While serious acts of violence in schools are rare, less serious forms of crime are more common in American public schools. This study sought to compare actual victimization experiences with subjective cognitive-based risk perceptions and fears of crime for seven different offenses: (1) physical assault; (2) theft of money or property from person; (3) theft of money or property from other location; (4) sexual harassment; (5) sexual assault; (6) threatened with a gun; and (7) threatened with other weapon. Data were drawn from a survey of 3,636 8th grade students attending 60 Kentucky public middle schools. The analysis focused on comparing the prevalence of actual victimization with subjective victimization as well as on how objective and subjective experiences of school crime were impacted by race, class, gender, and place of residence. Results of statistical analyses revealed that students feared and felt most at risk from minor forms of school violence, such as physical attacks, theft, and unwelcome sexual remarks. The findings also indicated that students who were previously victimized experienced significantly greater levels of risk and fear than comparison students. Overall, the findings on victimization, risk perception, and fear of crime indicate that crime-specificity is necessary to understand experiences with school crime. Tables, figure, notes, references, appendix