The Illusion of Safety: Empirical Evidence of the Fear of Crime and the Perception of Risk from a Safe City in Eskişehir/Türkiye

Erdem A., GÜLLÜPINAR F.

Deviant Behavior, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/01639625.2025.2526658
  • Journal Name: Deviant Behavior
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO Legal Collection, EBSCO Legal Source, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Gender Studies Database, HeinOnline-Law Journal Library, Index Islamicus, Psycinfo, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Violence & Abuse Abstracts
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study investigates the fear of crime in Eskişehir, a city perceived as safe. Using a nontraditional assessment and a sample of 260 residents, findings reveal that women report significantly higher fear levels, particularly regarding sexual crimes. Fear was strongly correlated with perceived risk and neighborhood disorder, while cohesion showed no significant effect. Notably, 70 participants had experienced victimization within the past year, even in an ostensibly safe city. Victimized individuals exhibited lower trust in the police and heightened fear. Avoidance behaviors appeared to reduce fear, whereas defensive actions were associated with increased fear and risk perception.