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Abstract
The fear of crime phenomenon is widely documented and studied in criminology; from the
tools that formulate and amplify it to the effects it has on the individual. It is unusual, then,
that prior to the last couple of years, few have commented on the positive effects of the fear
of crime. More confounding still is the fact that, despite many studies being conducted on the
effect of the media on fear of crime, scholars have thus far failed to acknowledge the medias
role in the possibly positive, crime reducing effects of the fear of crime. This paper attempts
to make a small step in redeeming this failing in criminology, and proposes a Fear of CrimeMedia Feedback Model, whereby the media influences levels of fear in its audience and
affects their routine activity, thereby affecting their exposure to potentially victimising
situations by encouraging avoidance behaviour; influencing people to remain in their home as
opposed to venturing onto the streets.
While the model is currently hypothetical, further research into its plausibility as a crime
reducing tool is proposed, potentially providing a method of reducing victimisation risk in the
public with use of crime media.
Key words: Fear of crime Mass media Avoidance behaviour Functional fear Crime
control
www.internetjournalofcriminology.com
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People consume
crime media
People remain in
the home to avoid
victimisation
Exaggeration of
crime prevalence
amplifies fear
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