PERCEPTUAL RESPONSESOF VICTIMIZATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Abstract

Relationships between frequency and severity of household victimization and fears, concerns and behavioral responses to crime are investigated utilizing a mailed victimization questionnaire among a predominantly rural/farm market population. Frequency of victimization is defined as the number of personal and property offenses experienced by household members. Severity is defined as the proximity of the victim to the offense. Fear is measured by three items relating to percep tions of the relative safety of one's residential area. Concern is measured by three items relating to attitudes or percep tions about crime in general. Behavioral measures include minor avoidance reactions, such as altering entertainment practices partially in response to crime, and major avoidance or retreatist actions, such as moving in response to crime. Major findings and conclusions are as follows: (1) as the frequency and severity of victimization increases, fear of, but not concern about, crime increases; (2) though victimization appears to be an important factor in minor behavioral adaptations, this relationship is not as conclusive for major avoidance reactions; (3) fear is considered to be a rational response to people's experiential worlds; and (4) fear may be viewed as an independent consequence of both concern and victimization among the rural population sampled.