Are Institutions of Higher Learning Safe? A Descriptive Study of Campus Safety Issues and Self‐Reported Campus Victimization among Male and Female College Students

Abstract

This descriptive study provides an empirical examination of issues related to campus safety including college students’ perceptions of fear and perceived risk of crime as reported by a convenience sample of 564 undergraduate students at a large southeastern university. Students also reported their use of constrained behavior in an attempt to reduce their likelihood of victimization. Prevalence estimates of personal, property, and sexual assault victimizations are reported. Results indicated that there were significant gender differences in perceptions of fear, safety, perceived risk, and involvement in constrained behavior. Significant gender differences were also found in self‐reported sexual assault and property crime victimization. Directions for risk reduction and prevention strategies for campus victimization are discussed along with concluding remarks about the importance of these campus‐related issues to educators and to the campus community as a whole.