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Criminal Victimization and Its Effect on Fear of Crime and Justice Attitudes

NCJ Number
169132
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 12 Issue: 5 Dated: (October 1997) Pages: 748-758
Author(s)
R T Dull; A V N Wint
Date Published
1997
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship between criminal victimization of a college student cohort at a large California university and the impact of this victimization on fear of crime and attitudes toward the criminal justice system.
Abstract
Data were obtained over a 4-year period using self-report questionnaires. To examine belief, fear, and attitudinal changes that occurred during a 4-year academic period for both victimized and nonvictimized students, the independent or predictor variable of victimization was calculated from a series of questions asked in both freshman and senior surveys. Of the 12 dependent or target variables, five related to fear of crime and seven concerned the criminal justice system. Findings revealed persons who had been victims of crime had significantly greater fear of becoming future victims of property crimes but reported no significant change in their fear of personal crimes. Regarding the relationship between victimization and attitudes toward the criminal justice system, nonvictims showed significantly greater changes in attitudes toward the police and victims showed greater changes in attitudes toward courts. Few changes were observed for either victims or nonvictims in their attitudes toward the death penalty. 28 references, 1 note, and 2 tables