Is Campus a Place of (In)Security and Crime? Perceptions and Predictors among Higher Education Students

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Higher Education Studies
• Sociology

Background:

• Subjective insecurity and crime perceptions are critical factors affecting the campus environment.
• Understanding student perceptions of safety is essential for developing effective campus security strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine perceptions of (in)security and criminal variables among Portuguese higher education students.
• To identify predictors of these perceptions and analyze gender differences in fear of crime on campus.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative study involving 775 higher education students.
• Data collected using the "Diagnosis of Local Security Questionnaire".

Main Results:

• Robbery, physical assault, and theft were the most feared crimes, while robbery, theft, and property damage were perceived as most common.
• Alcohol/drug use and juvenile delinquency were cited as primary justifications for criminal occurrences.
• Sociodemographic factors (gender, age, education) and crime-related variables predicted insecurity perceptions.
• Females reported higher fear of robbery, sexual offenses, physical aggression, and domestic violence compared to males.

Conclusions:

• Preventive measures addressing social and physical campus environments are crucial for reducing violence.
• Addressing gender-specific fears is vital for comprehensive campus safety initiatives.