The statistical analysis consisted of producing weighted estimates for various reported categories based on 18,674 interviews conducted in 1975. Questions dealt with victimization and fear of crime. Interpretations suggest that fear of crime has two components. One is related to group membership and social support. These affect general levels of anxiety and hence fear of crime. The second relates to the likelihood of victimization. Thus, the elderly's fear of crime may be greater than that of younger individuals, despite lower rates of victimization of the elderly. At the same time, two elderly samples may report a level of fear directly related to a different victimization experience. This model is discussed in relation to victimization and the general psychological distress of Australian women. It is suggested that small differences in fear of crime between married and never-married women from despite higher victimization rates of the former, result from higher levels of distress among the latter which largely 'cancel out' the effect of victimization. It is concluded that policies that reduce objective levels of victimization will also have some effect in reducing fear of crime. (Author abstract modified)