FEAR OF CRIME AND CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION: Testing a Theory of Psychological Incapacitation of the 'Stressor' Based on Downward Comparison Processes

The empirical evidence supporting a fear—criminal victimization relationship is relatively weak and mixed. A fear-victimization model is developed which accommodates these seemingly incon The model suggests that fear responses are cognitively mediated. In particular, subjective victimization risk (SVR) and perceived negative impact associated with a victimization (NI) are postulated as cognitive products emanating from active adaptational processes elicited by the experience. The non-emergence of enhanced fear is hypothesized to result from compensation. This notion suggests that victimization tends to elicit upward tendencies in SVR (victims tend to report higher levels of SVR than non-victims), and downward tendencies in NI (victims tend to report lower NI levels than controls). As upward and downward tendencies are theoretically expected to cancel each other out fear of crime is not affected l victimization. Our findings clearly confirm these expectancies. Some implications for victim support are discussed. Inter alia, upward assessments (e.g. NI after > NI before victimization) in NI among victims are suggested as a cue for referral to victim support.