Minor but Not Trivial: Racial/Ethnic Minorities’ Crime Victimization in the US and Impact of Routine Activities

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Racial and ethnic minorities’ crime victimization is not a new topic in criminology. Still, however, the diversity within the racial/ethnic minorities tends to be overlooked as a single ‘others’ race category in many government reports and academic studies. In this study, we look at fine distinctions among racial minorities by separating American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and multiracial people from the single category. This study aims to estimate racial minorities’ victimization rates and explore theoretical explanations for the rates based on routine activities theory. First, we describe the racial minorities’ crime victimization rates in the United States using National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). Then we compare the rates between races when their routine activity factors are controlled. In doing so, the different victimization experiences by race factors can be more accurately described. Then, we compare the victimization rates of each race before and since the Pandemic to examine the impact of limiting routine activities on crime victimizations. Based on the findings, we discuss how race and routine activities of the racial minorities may shape the opportunities for crime victimization.

Authors

• Hyunjung Shim, University of Cincinnati

• John E. Eck, University of Cincinnati