Fear of crime, gender, and age

insights from the DF Victimization Survey

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31060/rbsp.2027.v21.n1.2335

Keywords:

Fear of crime. Victimization, Perception of security, Demographic correlates, Media influence

Abstract

The study examines how demographic characteristics such as gender and age influence fear of crime in the Federal District. Using data from the District Victimization Survey (2015–2018), 28,168 respondents were analyzed through generalized linear mixed models. Fear of crime was found to be higher among women than men, with a moderate increase with age. However, the relationship between age groups and fear of crime showed only marginal effects. Annual fluctuations in fear of crime suggest the influence of contextual factors, such as social instability and media coverage. Despite low correlation rates with violent crime, women demonstrated greater perceived vulnerability, shaped by social and cultural contexts, such as the “shadow of sexual assault” effect. The study highlights the need for intersectoral approaches to mitigate fear of crime, addressing social dynamics, emotional factors, and public policies that promote both objective and perceived security.

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Author Biographies

Cláudio Vaz Torres, University of Brasília, Department of Basic Psychological Processes

Ph.D. in Transcultural Psychology from the University of California, San Diego (U.S.A. – 1999). Professor in the Department of Basic Psychological Processes at the University of Brasília, where he teaches courses and conducts research in the field of Transcultural Psychology, with a focus on the Theory of Human Values and Police Psychology.

Laura Novaes Andrade, Brazilian Institute of Education, Development, and Research (IDP)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Social Psychology from the University of Brasília (UnB) and professor in the Psychology program at the Brazilian Institute of Education, Development, and Research (IDP), where she coordinates research projects that develop psychosocial interventions aimed at strengthening institutional and community capacities in Brazil.

Francisco Guilherme L. Macedo, University of Brasília (UnB)

Master’s degree in Social, Work, and Organizational Psychology from the University of Brasília (UnB). Lieutenant Colonel in the Federal District Military Police and professor at the Higher Institute of Police Sciences (ISCP), with research focusing on organizational culture, decision-making, public safety, and fear of crime.

Henny Kamilla R. de Lima, University of Brasília (UnB)

PhD in Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology and a researcher affiliated with the University of Brasília (UnB). She conducts research in the field of Behavioral Sciences, focusing on human values, mental health, and eating behavior.

Thiago Gomes Nascimento, University of Brasília (UnB)

He holds a Ph.D. in Management Sciences from Aix-Marseille Université (France) and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Brasília (UnB). He is a professor and researcher at UnB, the IDP, and the ISCP. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Federal District Military Police and Chief of the Management and Governance Advisory Office at the Federal District Military Headquarters.

Edna A. B. Tôrres, University of Brasília (UnB)

Master’s degree in Governance and Innovation in Public Policy (2025) from the University of Brasília (UnB). Technical-administrative staff member at UnB since 1994 and researcher at Cepats/IP/UnB and the Transcultural Psychology Laboratory (LPT/UnB).

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Published

2026-10-01

How to Cite

VAZ TORRES, Cláudio; NOVAES ANDRADE, Laura; L. MACEDO, Francisco Guilherme; R. DE LIMA, Henny Kamilla; GOMES NASCIMENTO, Thiago; A. B. TÔRRES, Edna. Fear of crime, gender, and age: insights from the DF Victimization Survey. Revista Brasileira de Segurança Pública, [S. l.], v. 21, n. 1, p. 232–251, 2026. DOI: 10.31060/rbsp.2027.v21.n1.2335. Disponível em: https://revista.forumseguranca.org.br/rbsp/article/view/2335. Acesso em: 1 oct. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2027): v. 21 n. 1 (2027): Revista Brasileira de Segurança Pública 40

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