The paper assesses the consequences of victimization experience and the crime rate on fear of crime and life satisfaction. It extends the classical fear of crime model by incorporating media use in the link between the crime rate and fear of crime. Based on a nationwide German survey conducted in 2010 it is shown that fear of crime and victimization experiences lower respondents' life satisfaction. The county crime rate has no significant impact. However, the local crime rate increases fear of crime. This relationship is mediated by the consumption of local newspapers. Readers of such newspapers are more affected by the crime rate, because they have more information on crime trends within their county.

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This measure has not been without criticism (cf. Bilsky and Wetzels 1997, Ferraro 1995, p. 22). It is necessary to distinguish between different meanings of fear. In general, fear comprises cognitive, affective and behavioural facets. Furthermore, fear of crime may also refer to concern about crime as a serious problem for a community or society (Skogan 1993). Disentangling the relationship between victimisation and fear of crime, therefore, requires elaborate measures of fear of crime. However, looking at the consequences of victimisation someone should not stop at assessing victims' level of fear. Taking a broader perspective makes it possible to examine what becoming a victim means for everyday life. One way to do this is to analyse people's life satisfaction. 2 Studies have shown that becoming a victim lowers satisfaction with life in a significant way (Cohen 2008, Michalos/Zumbo 2000, Powdthavee 2005). However, crime and crime-related issues are a relatively unexplored field within life satisfaction research (Powdthavee 2005, p. 532). Dealing with life satisfaction also allows to assess the importance of victimisation for peoples' life in general and to compare it with other domains of life (e.g. work, close social relations, and income). This paper aims to assess the impact of victimisation on fear of crime and satisfaction with life. The data base consists of a three wave nationwide representative study on crime and crime-related issues conducted in Germany in the years 2004, 2006 and 2010. Theoretical background Victimisation and fear of crime Over the last four decades there has been much empirical research and scientific debate on fear of crime (Brunton-Smith/Sturgis 2011, p. 332, 11.2 11.2.1 safe do you feel being out alone in your neighbourhood after dark" or "is there any place around here where you feel unsafe walking at night?". 2 Throughout this paper, life satisfaction and satisfaction with life are treated as synonyms. The psychological term 'subjective well-being' is used to denote "an individual's evaluation of the extent to which he or she experiences positive and negative affect, happiness, or satisfaction with life" (Frey 2008, p. 3). The citation of empirical studies follows their terminology.

Research has shown that punitive attitudes are influenced by denominational affiliation, religious participation and images of God. However, most of the research so far has been conducted in the United States, which is very different compared with most European states with respect to the importance of religion. The paper analyses the relationship between religion and punitiveness outside the United States in a European context based on a German-wide representative survey ( N = 2265). Respondents who perceive God as loving are less punitive and support the death penalty less. The same holds for the frequency of praying and church attendance. Protestants and Catholics are also less supportive of the death penalty compared with non-affiliated individuals.

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