Poster #16 - An Exploratory Study of Crime Victimization and Reporting among Hispanic Immigrants in Central Appalachia

• In Event: ASC Poster Session II

Abstract

Hispanic immigrants living within the United States face numerous difficulties. This is especially true for those who enter the country as an unlawful resident. Research suggests that high levels of certain forms of victimization, such as labor trafficking, are one such difficulty. In addition, it has been revealed that immigrants are oftentimes wary of seeking police assistance following victimization out of fear of deportation. The current study extended this line of research by focusing on experiences among Hispanic immigrants living in Central Appalachia. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 individuals, allowing an in-depth understanding of various topics, such as victimization history, reporting practices and trust in law enforcement. Results revealed some overlap with previous works in terms of prevalence and forms of victimization. Trust in the police and willingness to report victimizations provided more nuanced findings, owing partly to the unique nature of rural communities and the agencies that serve them.

Authors

• Cristina Cabrera, East Tennessee State University

• Dustin Osborne, East Tennessee State University

• Bradley Edwards, East Tennessee State University

• Chris Rush, East Tennessee State University