A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Victimization on Community Perceptions and Interactions

• In Event: Communities, Risk, and Victimization

Abstract

Victims of crime can experience significant declines in physical, financial and emotional wellbeing. Studies also demonstrate that interpersonal relationships may suffer in the wake of victimization. Further, victimization that occurs in one’s neighborhood can reduce neighborhood attachment and engagement and compromise perceptions of safety. However, it is unclear whether victims living in more cohesive neighborhoods are as vulnerable to these shifts in neighborhood ties and perceptions as victims living in less cohesive areas. In this paper, we assess whether victimization changes victims’ neighborhood attachment, neighborly interactions and feelings of safety and if these changes are more acute for those from less cohesive neighborhoods. We draw on two waves of data from the Australian Community Capacity Study to compare two groups: Individuals with no victimization experiences in their current neighborhood and those whose first experienced victimization in their neighborhood between time 1 and time 2. We find that, compared to non-victims, recent victims are more likely to experience significant decreases in attachment and feelings of safety, but levels of neighborly interaction do not change. Further, neighborhood social cohesion reduces the effect of victimization on attachment and perceptions of safety.

Authors

• Rebecca Leigh Wickes, The University of Queensland

• Lisa Broidy, Griffith University / University of New Mexico

• Kathryn Benier, University of Queensland, Australia