Fear

Vulnerability

Some types of people are more vulnerable to fear of crime than other types. Research shows that women and the aged are more fearful even though they are the least likely to be victimized. People who feel powerless to prevent crime have greater fear of crime: the aged, unmarried, widowed, and persons living alone. People are less fearful of crime when they feel they feel they have control over their lives and when they interact with and have the support of neighbors.

Part of fear of crime is fear of the effects of victimization, such as physical injury or loss of income. The poor fear crime more because it is a greater burden on them since they have less insurance, tend to rent rather than own, are less able to cope, and have less income. People with more education have less victimization, but they still have an increased level of fear of crime. People in rural areas have a lower fear of crime but communities in rural areas that are experiencing rapid growth have heightened levels of fear.

Fear of crime not only affects the way people carry out their personal lives, it also effects their choices in whether or not to get involved in another person's life when they are bystanders to the person being victimized by crime.