Crime in the ivory tower: The level and sources of student victimization

Contrary to the image of college campuses as "ivory towers," the victimization of college students recently has been portrayed as a serious problem deserving policy intervention. Based on interviews designed after the National Crime Victimization Survey, which were conducted wtih 3,472 randomly selected students across 12 institutions, we examined both the level and sources of students' victimization. More than one-third of the sample reported being victims during the 1993-94 academic year. Informed by the lifestyle-routine activities approach, the analysis revealed that the risk of property victimization was increased by proximity to crime, target attractiveness, exposure, and the lack of guardianship. The main predictor of violent victimization was a lifestyle that included high levels of partying on campus at night and the recreational use of drugs.
Author: 
Fisher,Bonnie S.
Sloan,John J.
Cullen,Francis T.
Lu,Chunmeng
Reprint Status: 
IN FILE
Start Page: 
671
End Page: 
710
Journal/Periodical Name: 
Criminology
Volume: 
36
Issue: 
3
Abstract: 
Using telephone interviews designed after the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), the authors collected data on criminal victimizations experienced by college students at twelve institutions on and off campus during the 1993-94 academic year. Drawing upon the lifestyle-routine activities approach, the authors collected information concerning student demographics, proximity to crime, exposure to crime, target attractiveness, and lack of capable guardianship. Results indicate that risk of property victimization was enhanced by proximity to crime, target attractiveness, exposure, and lack of guardianship. The recreational use of drugs and high levels of partying at night on campus were the most significant predictors of violent victimization. The authors conclude by suggesting that crime prevention strategies should be informed by such research and could prove useful in reducing crime experienced by college students.
Topic Areas: 
College, Risk, Vulnerability
Reference Type: 
JOUR
Reference ID: 
833
Publication Date: 
1998