Investigation of Southeastern Colleges and Universities Sharing of Crime Prevention Information to International Students to Help Prevent Off-Campus Victimization

• In Event: Enhancing the Academy: Understanding and Preventing the Various Forms of Victimization on College Campuses

Abstract

Previous research suggests that international students may be at increased risk for crime victimization when studying at U.S. colleges and universities and living off-campus. Language, culture, and a lack of emergency literacy may contribute to international students not understanding the risks for crime victimization when living off-campus. Further, these issues may also limit international students’ understanding of the self-protecting behaviors they should follow. Colleges and universities have a responsibility for addressing student safety including international students’ safety. This quantitative study investigates the extent to which southeastern colleges and universities share crime prevention information with international students as part of the orientation process. A 10-item survey was developed in Qualtrics. A survey link was e-mailed to international student advisors or enrollment managers at southeastern colleges and universities. Results suggest that more colleges and universities do not address crime prevention issues as part of the orientation process. Of those colleges and universities that do address crime prevention, larger colleges and universities, particularly those with international students’ offices, share more crime prevention information and address off-campus crime issues.

Author

• Thomas C. Johnson, Western Carolina University