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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
16:14
Trajectory Data Analyses for Pedestrian Space-time Activity Study
Published on: February 25, 2013
Risk of Outdoor Rape and Proximity to Bus Stops, Bars, and Residences.
Marcus Felson1, Silas Nogueira de Melo2, Remi Boivin3
1Department of Marcus Felson, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX mf38@txstate.edu.
Violence and Victims
|January 4, 2022
Summary
Public spaces near bus stops and bars increase outdoor urban rape risk for women. Urban planning can enhance safety by improving public space design and increasing guardianship.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Urban Planning
- Environmental Criminology
Background:
- Research indicates a link between public space design and sexual assault risk for women.
- Routine Activity Approach and Crime Pattern Theory suggest crime concentrates in areas with suitable targets, motivated offenders, and limited guardianship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial relationship between outdoor urban rape locations and proximity to public amenities.
- To test the applicability of crime pattern theory to understanding sexual assault risk in urban environments.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 193 outdoor rape locations in Campinas, Brazil (2010-2013).
- Measurement of distances from rape sites to nearest bus stops, bars, and residences.
- Comparison of these distances to random points within the city.
Main Results:
- Outdoor rape victimizations were disproportionately located near bus stops and bars.
- Rape incidents occurred significantly farther from residences (at least 250 meters).
Conclusions:
- Urban rape risk is associated with specific public place configurations, particularly those attracting crowds but lacking supervision.
- Urban planners can mitigate sexual assault risk by optimizing public space design, reducing concealment, and increasing guardianship.
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