“All [the] Violence that Happened Was Dudes:” Gendered Perceptions of Neighborhood Safety and Strategies to Stay Safe in a Small to Mid-Sized City

Abstract

Perceptions of neighborhood safety vary by demographic and neighborhood characteristics. While males and females have similar feelings about neighborhood safety, women are generally fearful of becoming a victim of sexual assault. Using in-depth interviews, we build on previous research by examining how boys and girls residing in frontline communities understand and navigate neighborhood risks. Drawing on the Socio-Ecological Model as an organizing tool, our findings suggest that perceived safety varies and is driven by the behavior of boys, regardless of who is considered less safe. In addition to the importance of social ties for perceived safety, girls report extreme avoidance.