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Function of Security in Reducing Women's Fear of Crime in Open Public Spaces: A Case Study of Serial Sex Attacks at a Western Australian University

NCJ Number
226449
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: 2009 Pages: 73-86
Author(s)
Christopher J. Cubbage; Clifton L. Smith
Date Published
2009
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the impact of continued sexual offenses in the same location in Western Australia on a group of women’s fear of crime, reinforced by the media reporting of other similar localized crimes.
Abstract
Results indicate that women perceive themselves at higher risk of crimes against the person. Underlying their fear is their perception that they are at greater risk of sexual assault. Women adopt a range of strategies to manage their fear and generally refuse to assume the role of victim. In assessing fear of crime in addition to people’s concerns and worries, tolerance levels and personal defense strategies to combat fears should also be assessed. Crime prevention programs tend to generalize security as one issue and do not specifically and independently target security problems, such as fear of a specific crime or criminal act. As a result, crime reduction strategies and raising security awareness are broad security messages that contain a number of interrelated concepts that are often ignored, underestimated, or not realized. Data were collected from 30 women in a defined area of a university campus who responded to a questionnaire. Notes and references