Fear of crime in Ulundi
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Date
2000
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Abstract
Fear of crime has become a much documented crime related problem. It can lead to avoidance behaviour, for example when normal social activities are curtailed and certain areas are avoided. Lewis and Salem (1986:3) conclude that "fear of crime [has become] as much of a social problem as the crime itself. Fear of crime is escalating in most parts of South Africa. In black urban as well as rural areas, it is so high that it seriously affects lifestyles and quality of life.
The impact of crime can be noted in the changes in lifestyle that are made as a result of the threat of crime. People restrict their normal activities and alter their behaviour in response to the fear of crime. Many countries in the western world have been grappling with the reality of high levels of crime for a number of decades. The crime problem is closely related to the general stability and economic position of a country. This is a well known fact that in South Africa people tend to restrict their normal activities and alter their behaviour in response to fear of crime.
The consequences of fear of crime are varied and numerous: psychologically, fear of crime generates feeling of anxiety, genera! mistrust, alienation, dissatisfaction with life and in some cases, mental illness (Glanz 19B9:54).
Socially the fear of crime may lead to:
— a breakdown of social cohesion and solidarity;
— curtailment of normal activities;
— avoidance of sites and situations associated with crime;
— disappearance of sociability, mutual trust, willingness to support or assist other people; and
— the avoidance of strangers (Smith & Glanz 1989:54).
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Zululand, 2000.
Keywords
Crime analysis, Crime and community