Fear of crime research has been around for decades, and many studies of its extent, nature, and consequences have been published. In this study, we build upon existing research to examine the effects of vulnerability, disorder/incivilities, social cohesion, prior victimization, and perceptions of police upon fear of property crime and fear of violent crime. Using data from a random mail survey of residents from five different states, the current study offers a view of the determinants of fear of crime within an often overlooked population—residents of the Western United States. Results support leading theories of fear of crime, finding that women, perceptions of disorder/incivilities, perceptions of social cohesion, prior victimization, and assessments of police quality of service each influence fear of crime. Findings also suggest that the determinants of fear of crime vary somewhat according to crime type.

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Studies have extended and applied lifestyle-routine activity theory (L-RAT) to direct-contact sexual violence (SV). Yet, operationalizations of theoretical concepts—exposure, proximity, target suitability, and guardianship—have not been consistent across studies within this context, and therefore the ultimate conclusions on the robustness of the theory remain an open empirical question. In this systematic review, we compile scholarship on the application of L-RAT to direct-contact SV to identify how core concepts have been operationalized as well as their association with SV. Studies met the inclusion criteria if they were published before February 2022, examined direct-contact sexual victimization, and explicitly categorized measures into one of the aforementioned theoretical concepts. Overall, 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Certain factors, such as alcohol and substance use as well as sex behaviors, emerged as consistent operationalizations of exposure, proximity, target suitability, and guardianship across studies. Alcohol and substance use, sexual orientation, relationship status, and behavioral health conditions were common correlates of SV. Nevertheless, there was considerable variability in measurement and significance, clouding how these factors affect risk of SV. In addition, several operationalizations were unique to single studies, reflecting context-specific operationalizations about the population and research question at hand. Conclusions drawn from this work have implications for the generalizability of the body of knowledge related to the application of L-RAT to SV and identify the need for systematic replication efforts. Implications for future research, especially as it relates to replication efforts and claims around generalizability, are discussed.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is widespread across the Global South, including India, due to cultural and patriarchal norms that encourage and facilitate such behaviors. These include age at marriage, community- and individual-level encouragement of IPV, and limited access to education across the Global South, particularly for women. Despite this, little research has sought to disentangle the role that disabilities play in affecting women’s risk of IPV in India. The current study analyzes a sample of currently married women ( N = 114,901) from the nationally representative 2015–2016 and 2019–2021 National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) to assess whether a relationship exists between these dimensions, while controlling for well-known IPV correlates, with physical IPV and controlling behaviors. Logistic regression analyses revealed that persons with cognitive/intellectual disabilities as well as blind respondents were more likely to experience physical IPV. Blind respondents were also more likely to experience controlling behavior. Further, findings indicate that those with no or some education were more likely to experience physical IPV relative to those with higher education. Findings from the current study demonstrate the need for IPV reduction policies to ensure that adequate accommodations are available to facilitate help-seeking behaviors among persons with disabilities. Tailored prevention policies are also needed which consider both context- and location-specific factors associated with risk.

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