University Student Safety in the East Midlands

• NCJ Number: 208434
• Author(s): Rosemary Barberet; Bonnie S. Fisher; Helen Taylor
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 76 pages
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Online Report 61/04; downloaded January 18, 2005.

Annotation

This study examined the extent and nature of the victimization of university students in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

The safety of university students has been the focus of several recent initiatives in England and Wales. Despite this focus, there is a lack of empirical research on the extent and nature of university student victimization. The current study drew on data from nine universities in England and Wales to discover the extent of victimization among students, the nature of their victimization experiences, the correlates of victimization, and to assist universities in creating security policies and crime prevention programs. Probability sampling produced a sample of 405 students who completed self-report questionnaires regarding victimization experiences over the past 12 months, perceived threat and fear of crime, routine activities, and university safety. Among the respondents, 33 percent reported being the victim of crime during the past 12 months. Over one third of these victims were repeat victims. More males than females were victims of violence and burglary and students aged 22 years and older were more likely to be victims of theft. Burglary victimization was more likely to occur at off-campus housing (13 percent) than in university accommodations (9 percent). Findings on the nature of university student victimization indicate that different types of victimization occur on different days of the week. A full 62 percent of all victimizations were never reported to authorities. The greatest perceived victimization risk among the student respondents was bicycle theft and theft from a motor vehicle. Women had greater overall victimization fear than men. Most students reported taking at least minimal precautions such as locking doors and windows. Findings on the state of university security demonstrate variation in how security departments are organized. Areas for improvement include calls for services and standardization of crime statistics. Future research should focus on the problem of sexual victimization among university students. Tables, figures, appendixes, references