Who reported fear of crime in the neighbourhood?

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Urban residents' reports of fear of crime in the neighbourhood were patterned by a number of socio-demographic characteristics (Table 1). Most notably, the percentage of women who reported feeling somewhat or very unsafe while alone in their neighbourhoods after dark was 3.6 times higher than the percentage for men. This finding is consistent with results from the 1993 and 1999 cycles of the GSS on victimization (Besserer and Trainor 2000; Sacco 1995).

Table 1 Proportion reporting fear of crime among urban Canadians aged 15 years and older. Opens a new browser window.

Table 1 
Proportion reporting fear of crime among urban Canadians aged 15 years and older

Fear of crime in the neighbourhood was also more frequently reported by those in the lowest income quartiles, those with the lowest level of education (less than secondary), and those in the oldest age group. A significantly greater proportion of those aged 65 years and older reported experiencing fear of crime in the neighbourhood than those aged 25 to 44 (the reference category). It should be noted, however, that this was not the case for other types of fear (not shown). For example, older Canadians were less likely to feel unsafe while they were alone in their homes at night than was the case for younger age groups, perhaps demonstrating their greater sense of vulnerability beyond the household (see Sacco 1995).

Reports of fear were also higher among those who reported having been victimized at least once in the past year (22%), than among those who did not report being victimized (16%). However, it is notable that the majority (78%) of victims did not report that they experienced fear of crime. Finally, fear was more frequently reported by individuals who also viewed their neighbourhoods to be higher risk environments. That is, those who perceived that physical and/or social disorder were problematic in their neighbourhoods, or that crime was higher in their neighbourhoods than elsewhere (see 'Description of variables' in the Methodology section) were also more likely to have reported that they experienced fear of crime in their neighbourhoods than those who did not hold these views.