A Routine Activity Approach: Assessing Victimization by Gender in Transit Environments and Other Public Locations

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine how transit environments and other public spaces shape women’s and men’s victimization for simple assault, aggravated assault, sexual assault, robbery, and kidnapping crimes. This research applies routine activities theory to examine how everyday activities shape victimization within these environments. Using data from the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ 2014 National Incident-Based Reporting System, this research finds that women were more likely to be victimized in certain spaces such as shopping centers and transit terminals. Regarding certain violent crimes, it was also discovered that women were more likely to be robbed at shopping centers, grocery stores, parking lots/garages, and transit terminals. It is argued that understanding the vulnerability of simple assault, aggravated assault, sexual assault, robbery, and kidnapping victimization women have in transit environments and other public spaces may provide useful insight regarding preventing crime in these locations.