Victimization, perception of insecurity, and changes in daily routines in Mexico.

María Elena Ávila,Belén Martínez-Ferrer,Gonzalo Musitu,Alejandro Bahena,Alejandro Vera

doi:10.1590/s1518-8787.2016050006098

María Elena Ávila, Belén Martínez-Ferrer + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s1518-8787.2016050006098

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Abstract

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To analyze the relationships between victimization, perception of insecurity, and changes in routines.METHODS The 8,170 subjects of both sexes (49.9% women and 50.1% men) aged between 12 and 60 years, selected from a proportional stratified sampling, participated in this study. The measuring instrument was an adaptation of the National Survey on Victimization and Perception of Public Security. Chi-square tests were performed.RESULTS The results show significant differences on victimization and sex regarding perception of insecurity, restrictions on everyday activities, and protection measures. 13.1% of those interviewed claimed to have been victims of a crime in the past 12 months. 52.7% of women considered their municipality as unsafe or very unsafe. In the case of men, this percentage was 58.2%. Female victims reported significant restrictions in everyday activities when compared to non-victims. In relation to men, the percentage of victims with a high restriction of activities was higher in male victims than non-victims. In the group of victimized women, the segment of women who opted for increased measures of protection against crime was larger than expected, while those of non-victims who took less protective measures was lower than expected. These same results were observed in the group of men.CONCLUSIONS The experience of victimization implies a greater perception of insecurity. However, the climate of insecurity is widespread in a large number of citizens. Gender differences in a high-crime environment show the importance of investigating in depth the roles of both genders in the perception of insecurity and changes in routines.

Highlights

The crime rate in Mexico has increased significantly in recent years[23]. This trend has been observed in the state of Morelos, mainly in the capital (Cuernavaca) and, in particular, in those crimes that, because of its violent nature, cause great social alarm, such as kidnapping, intentional homicide, and robbery with extortiona
One of the most relevant studies was the National Survey on Victimization and Perception of Public Security (ENVIPE)b, in which we observe that drinking alcohol in the street, use and sale of drugs, theft and assault are the most common crimes from the perspective of the victims
In the survey conducted by ENVIPEb, the most insecure places are ATM on streets, banks, public transport and the street

Summary

Introduction

To assess the impact of rising crime on citizens in Mexico, a series of papers explored the perception of insecurity in different cities throughout the country, from the perspective of the victims, and the relationship of citizens with law enforcement institutions. In this sense, one of the most relevant studies was the National Survey on Victimization and Perception of Public Security (ENVIPE)b, in which we observe that drinking alcohol in the street, use and sale of drugs, theft and assault are the most common crimes from the perspective of the victims. In Mexico, most disturbing crimes refer to the violation of integrity, both in public and private spacesb

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Conclusion