Examining the Complexity of Demographic Profiles: An Exploratory Approach into the Relationship between Situational Contexts and Victimization

• In Event: Situational Aspects of Crime and Victimization

Abstract

In providing a theoretical explanation for victimization, a number of researchers have utilized a lifestyles/routine activities approach. This approach has led past researchers to conduct direct tests of individual demographic factors in an effort to shed light on the likelihood of victimization. However, this framework does not seem to align with more complex tests of the relationship between demographic characteristics and victimization, such as combinations of demographics factors. For this reason, the purpose of this study is to implement an exploratory approach that examines whether (and which) elements, when combined, form a situational context that is conducive to victimization. In other words, does victimization vary across differences in the convergence of offender, victim, and offense characteristics? If so, I seek to understand whether these variations emerge across different combinations of demographic factors (i.e., race/ethnicity; marital status, and gender).

Author

• Amy Eggers, University of South Florida