Individual and Structural Opportunities

Abstract

Opportunity theories are suited to cross-national research on victimization that incorporates a multilevel approach. Comparative research on non-lethal victimization often combines several types of violence into a single category of expressive crime. While expressive crimes do indeed share some characteristics, opportunities leading to specific types of victimization may vary. The current research uses the International Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS) to examine two types of expressive victimization: sexual and physical assault. These data are limited to female victims, as sexual assault in the ICVS is assessed only for females. These data provide a rich source of comparative information on opportunities leading to victimization. Opportunities have been traditionally examined at the individual level through routine activities and lifestyles theories. Opportunity at the structural level of analysis is less commonly employed; however, routine activities theory offers a framework for measuring structural opportunity. The results indicate a multilevel approach of opportunities on victimization is appropriate. Differences in opportunity leading to sexual and physical assault are most evident in the opportunities provided by the development level of the country. The impact of country development on physical assault victimization is moderated by the involvement in leisure activities outside of the home.