Land use and sexual harassment: A geospatial analysis based on the volunteer HarassMap‐Egypt

Abstract

Sexual harassment and gang rape in Egypt have garnered attention from both traditional and digital media. This study employed a volunteer HarassMap to analyse sexual harassment crimes (SHCs) across Egypt from a spatial perspective. The specific aims were to apply the Hierarchical Density‐Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (HDBSCAN) algorithm to locate clusters of reported SHCs, and to assess their spatial dependence on land use types. To accomplish this task, ring buffers of 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 metres were established around each crime scene to determine which land use was mostly associated with the incidence of these SHCs. Local bivariate relationships were used to explore the associations between SHC and each land‐use category. Results from the HDBSCAN algorithm revealed four crime clusters within the study domain, mainly located in Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and Behaira. Notably, commercial establishments and transit stations showed a significantly positive correlation with SHC. The study shows how land uses shape SHC and showed that it is possible to identify environmental risk factors for harassment. These risk factors can help policymakers, urban planners, and community stakeholders prevent and reduce sexual harassment and gender inequality, and promote just and inclusive societies.

Feeding ourselves and our geographical futures

“…Focus then shifts from Australia to other contexts. Al-Sabbagh et al (2024) provide important insights on land use and sexual harassment in a geospatial analysis based on the volunteer HarassMap-Egypt. Their premise is that sexual harassment crimes warrant innovative solutions in contexts such as theirs, and their argument is that geospatial digital platforms can be immensely useful in tracking and dealing with crime clusters.…”