Victimization, perception of insecurity, and changes in daily routines in Mexico

Ávila, M. E., Martínez-Ferrer, B., Vera, A., Bahena, A. and Musitu, G. (2016) Victimization, perception of insecurity, and changes in daily routines in Mexico. Revista de Saúde Pública, 50, 60. (doi: 10.1590/S1518-8787.2016050006098)

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the relationships between victimization, perception of insecurity, and changes in routines. Methods: The 8,170 subjects of both sexes (49.9% women and 50.1% men) aged between 12 and 60 years, selected from a proportional stratified sampling, participated in this study. The measuring instrument was an adaptation of the National Survey on Victimization and Perception of Public Security. Chi-square tests were performed. Results: The results show significant differences on victimization and sex regarding perception of insecurity, restrictions on everyday activities, and protection measures. 13.1% of those interviewed claimed to have been victims of a crime in the past 12 months. 52.7% of women considered their municipality as unsafe or very unsafe. In the case of men, this percentage was 58.2%. Female victims reported significant restrictions in everyday activities when compared to non-victims. In relation to men, the percentage of victims with a high restriction of activities was higher in male victims than non-victims. In the group of victimized women, the segment of women who opted for increased measures of protection against crime was larger than expected, while those of non-victims who took less protective measures was lower than expected. These same results were observed in the group of men. Conclusions: The experience of victimization implies a greater perception of insecurity. However, the climate of insecurity is widespread in a large number of citizens. Gender differences in a high-crime environment show the importance of investigating in depth the roles of both genders in the perception of insecurity and changes in routines.

• Item Type: Articles (Other)
• Keywords: Crime victims, violence, safety, adaptation, psychological.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bahena Rivera, Dr Alejandro
• Authors: Ávila, M. E., Martínez-Ferrer, B., Vera, A., Bahena, A., and Musitu, G.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Journal Name: Revista de Saúde Pública
• Journal Abbr.: REV SAUDE PUBL
• Publisher: Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Saude Publica
• ISSN: 0034-8910
• ISSN (Online): 1518-8787
• Published Online: 03 October 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Revista de Saúde Pública 50: 60
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License