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Crime victimization rates in the Orlando area, and the impact it has on students’ housing choices while attending the University of Central Florida. Kristin Bayer December 1, 2014

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Page 1: Research Proposal Edited

Crime victimization rates in the Orlando area, and the impact it has on students’ housing choices

while attending the University of Central Florida.

Kristin Bayer

December 1, 2014

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Generally college campuses are safe, but after reviewing a vast majority of research

across several campuses in the United States, it seems as if that is not always the case. These

studies put victimization rates into perspective, which can be dissected into an individual level

for each university that researches these types of crimes. Crime on college campuses has

skyrocketed in recent years (Federal Bureau of Investigation 2007). Unnecessary victimization

among college students has occurred due to this, and it needs to be examined more in depth.

Recently a crime occurred on Florida State University’s campus that involved an individual

walking into the library and attempted to shoot at students. Another crime that occurred on a

college campus that was fairly recent was when the University of Central Florida had a close call

with a school shooting in one of their dorms. These crimes may cause students’ to have

heightened fears.

These crime victimization rates on college campuses are important to see what causes it

to occur, and looking across several different studies as brought more information to the table;

not only the preventive measures, but it ensures students that the university they are attending are

aware of what goes on in regards to student victimization rates. Analyzing victimization rates on

college campuses can be broken down into three key elements, which are: (1) the overall fear of

crime victimization, (2) how gender affects the thought of fear of victimization and (3) how

student housing has an effect on victimization.

Literature Review

Fear of Victimization

The bigger a university is, the more likely crime is going to occur (Ong, Petrova and

Spieler 2007). This is because the larger a campus becomes, the university is unable to catch

and/or control all crime that occurs (Ong et al. 2007; Sanders 2012). This can result in fear

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among both male and female students. Sanders (2012) looked at security staff that was stationed

at university libraries. It was reported that out of 10 university libraries (that had between 10,000

and 30,000 students currently enrolled), that only six of these libraries’ had security staff at the

library during hours of operation (Sanders 2012). This provides supporting evidence that the

larger a university is, the harder it is for the faculty and staff to control crime happening on

campus (Ong et al., 2007; Sanders 2012).

In a study conducted by Steinmetz and Austin (2013:526), they found that 41.9% of

students were afraid of victimization on campus, even when only a small portion of these

respondents had previously been victimized. This is a great deal of evidence. Almost half of

those students who took part in their survey we afraid of victimization on campus during the day.

More evidence from the survey states that these students were mostly afraid of theft/larceny

(Steinmetz and Austin 2013:526). Tomisch, Gover and Jennings (2011) also looked at fear of

victimization on campus, and took note into whether students were more afraid of crime during

the day versus crime occurring at night.

Gender and Victimization on College Campus

Comparing males to females and their fear of victimization shows the correlation

between students’ safety concerns and fear of crime. Students want to know that their campus

overall is as safe as it can possible be. Tomisch et al. (2011) looked at different types of

victimizations, such as personal crime or property crime, and how it changed the amount of fear

between genders. A majority of male respondents knew more people who were victim of a

property crime. Property crime on campus leads towards student housing and that plays a role in

the student deciding which housing is safest and best suited for them.

Armstrong, Hamilton and Sweeney (2006) researched why sexual assaults among

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students occur at such an alarming rate. In the research, their suggestion for this comes from

three levels. These levels are an individual level, interactional level and an organizational level.

Each of these levels place students at risk for becoming a victim of sexual assault. Through

further investigation it was discovered that students tend to come together to go to parties on

campus and this can cause victimization among those who have attended. Moreover it appears

that “congregating people is not enough, as parties cannot be produced without resources that are

difficult for underage students to obtain. University policies that are explicitly gender-neutral—

such as the policing of alcohol use in residence halls—have gendered consequences” (Armstrong

et al. 2006:495). These gendered consequences are victimizations that are gendered against both

men and women. It just depends on the context of the party that occurs before a students’

victimization. This is leading evidence that points towards “gender repeatedly emerging as a

strong influence on fear of crime in past research, the separate equations help to understand

different relationships for each gender” (Steinmetz and Austin 2013:520). Supporting evidence

provided by Fox, Nobles and Piquero (2009:26) shows that:

A growing body of research examines the relationship between fear of crime and sexual

assault. More specifically, the impact of sexual assault on fear has been identified as an

explanation of the fear-crime paradox in which women are victimized by crime less often

than men but are more fearful.

This is beneficial evidence when continuing to review research on victimization among college

students’ and their fear of crime. Looking further into reasons why college students are

victimized, Turchik (2012) discovered that males who are victimized have a correlation to

excessive alcohol use. One can assume this excessive alcohol use is done at school parties, which

ties into bringing students together causing higher rates of victimization.

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Researching gender differences and their perceptions of crime victimization is an

extremely important aspect in learning more about victimization. Tomisch et al. (2011) state that

it is important to look at gender differences in relation to crime victimization to reveal if studies

have failed to look at what difference occur between genders. While most people believe females

are more fearful of crime on campus research shows that males are less likely to feel safe on

campus in comparison to females (Tomisch et al., 2011:193; Fox et al., 2009). In comparison,

female students who live off campus are less likely to want to have a longer commute to and

from campus (Zhou 2014). These reasons are because of the fear of victimization while having to

travel further to get onto campus, and then to try and get back to their home. This can be

especially true if a female student has classes early in the day while the sun is still rising or late

at night after the sun has set. It is an important factor that universities need to put in place.

Student Housing and Victimization

Looking at university housing can tell a lot about crime rates that occur on college

campuses across the United States. 83.4% of freshman and sophomore in college prefer to live

on campus (Turchik and Hassija 2014). This can be taken into account where a high rate of

victimization occurs directly on college campuses. The study conducted by Turchik and Hassija

(2014) helps provide this evidence. In their research, they found that 72.8% of females currently

attending college have been victimized from the time they turned 16. In addition to victimization,

this number correlates with excessive alcohol use (Turchik 2012).

A study done at University of California Los Angeles by Zhou (2014) stated that 59% of

students live in off campus housing. Those of which are either apartment rentals or university-

affiliated housing. 85% of students who attend the University of California Los Angeles live

with one or more roommates. This decreases fear of victimization while attending college;

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however, it does not completely disregard the fear. Living with roommates can help decrease

fear of victimization while living in student housing because they may feel like victimization is

less likely to occur when more than one person is living in an apartment or dorm.

Campus safety is a college’s number one priority. Taking a look at research done by

Gregory and Janosik (2006) about the Clery Act can show how serious colleges are about their

students’ safety while living on campus. The Clery Act provides students and their parents about

crime that occurs on campus. This also account for crime that occurs in dorm rooms. The Clery

Act is important because it allows prospective students to know about unwanted dangers that

cannot be avoided. It also shows that the college of attendance is aware of crime that occurs on

their campus. If a student finds that one college has a higher rate of student victimization they

may choose to apply to other schools with lower rates of victimization. Evidence supports that

larger campuses in rural areas with lower crime rates correlates with more of a demand for

student affiliated and dorm housing (Ong et al. 2007). This evidence can show that more students

want to be where less crime occurs. The more students that attend a university, the more housing

is needed to allow them to attend that school (Ong et al. 2007).

Moreover, looking at other evidence that includes different types of crimes committed on

and off campus in student housing shows that there is more fear for those students who live on

campus versus those who live off campus (Steinmetz and Austin 2013). Students who attend a

larger university in a rural area tend to be victim to more crime because these schools are usually

located in a college town (Ong et al., 2007; Tomisch et al., 2011). The fear of victimization then

becomes greater for those students who are living on campus or in affiliated housing that is off

campus.

Theoretical Orientation

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Hindelang, Gottfredson and Garofalo’s lifestyles theory (1978) can explain crime from a

theoretical point of view. An individual’s lifestyle can put them at higher risk for victimization.

If an individual is constantly going out to bars late at night, they have a higher chance of

victimization, in comparison to someone who stays home after 9 o’clock at night. This theory is

a great theoretical insight to my research topic of students’ housing choices based on

victimization. Lifestyles theory places victimization causation on the individual who becomes

victimized based on their lifestyle (Hindelang et al. 1978). If a student has a lifestyle that consists

of constantly going out to bars until late at night, they are more likely to become victimized. If

the individual changes their lifestyle to become more studious, and not go out as much, they will

be less likely to be victimized.

Students’ housing choices can play a big role in this. If a student lives in an apartment

complex that has a history of high victimization rates, and they choose to live there, regardless of

the warning signs, they are more likely to be victimized because of their current housing. A

housing complex becomes a part of the individuals lifestyle, and living in an apartment complex

(or other form of housing) that has high crime rates, will cause the individual to have a higher

possibility of becoming a victim to crime. Lifestyles theory places the reasoning for an

individual’s victimization solely on the individual, because of their choices.

The Current Study

Looking at past research will give an advantage point in looking at crime victimization

rates among college students. The current study will show how much crime has actually

impacted college students and it made me want to look further into it and explore how students

feel about crime that occurs on and off campus. When a student moves away from home to start

college, they might feel a sense of uneasiness when in a new area. Looking at housing that has

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had no crime incidents in the past may help the student feel safer. I wanted to see if crime

actually plays a role in selecting housing choices. The literature that has been reviewed has given

me a starting point, and I think it is a great stepping-stone to learn how universities handle crime

issues. The students are the universities priority, because without them the school would cease to

exist.

A majority of past research has only looked at certain parts of campus, such as the dorms,

fraternity and sorority houses, and the libraries on campus. My research will look further into

different types of housing, which includes: affiliated, dorms, non-affiliated, as well as if the

student lives at their parent house. This gives a different perspective to crime rates that occur

around college campuses. It will build further on the research by looking at a variety of

demographics such as the students’ year in college, sexual orientation, age group, whether they

are a first generation college student, etcetera.

Research Question

Do student crime victimization rates impact students’ decision on where to live while at UCF?

Hypotheses

Hypothesis 1: Women are more likely than men to research crime rates before choosing a

place to live.

Hypothesis 2: More upper classmen will choose where they want to live while attending

the University of Central Florida based on recent crimes rates in the Orlando area in

comparison to lower classmen.

Hypothesis 3: Students who were previously victimized choose their housing to try and

avoid being victimized, in comparison to those who were not previously victimized.

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Hypothesis 4: Men feel safer walking around the University of Central Florida/Orlando in

comparison to women.

Methods/Sample

To conduct my research, I will be collecting my data via the internet using Qualtrics. I

will be collecting data from 300 students who are currently attending the University of Central

Florida. In order for me to collect 300 surveys I will use social media to send out my survey,

such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Tumblr. and through Webcourses/CANVAS. I will also

post my survey link on a bulletin board at work as well as ask my friends to email my survey link

to their friends. After the data is collected, I will download it into SPSS to analyze the responses.

Measurements

Independent variables. Students’ responses to survey questions will be analyzed based on

their gender. They will be given two options to respond to; either male or female. This will allow

the hypotheses to be tested. Other independent variables that are considered include the students’

year in college, which ranges from freshman (0-29 credits), sophomore (30-59 credits), junior

(60-89 credits), seniors (90-120 credits) and graduate students (beyond 120 credits), and students

who have previously been victimized. To test students who have been victimized, a side-by-side

table will be displayed. The first column will relate to on campus victimization, while the other

column will relate to off campus victimization. The respondents will be asked if they have been

victimized, if they know someone who has been victimized, and if they have ever heard of

someone being victimized. They will respond in a yes-no format. A follow up question will be

displayed if the student answers yes to them being subjected to victimization (either on or off

campus). This question will ask if they are still living in the same place where they were

victimized, and whether or not they are planning on moving because of their victimization.

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Dependent variables. The dependent variables that will be analyzed include the

respondents choosing where to live in general and based on crime, choosing their housing based

on previous victimization and how students feel about walking around the University of Central

Florida and Orlando. To analyze where the respondent chose to live they will answer a yes-no

multiple-choice question relating to housing situations. If they select a dorm or affiliated

housing, the respondent will be able to fill in what dorm or affiliated housing complex they are

currently residing in. To analyze if the respondent chose their housing based on crime rates in the

area, they will be asked if they selected this housing to avoid crime, as well as what type of

crime they were attempting to avoid, which will be a multiple selection answer. To analyze if

students chose their housing based on the possibility of revictimization, they will be asked if they

are currently living in the same place that they were victimized. A follow up question will be

asked if they are planning on moving because of their victimization. To analyze how respondents

feel about walking around UCF/Orlando, they will be asked to respond to two, 7-point likert

scales, ranging from extremely safe to extremely unsafe. The likert scale will ask how safe they

feel in popular spots on campus. The two likert scales ask the same questions, except one asks

about how they feel during the day, while the other asks how they feel at night. To see how

students feel about traveling around Orlando, they will be asked to respond to two, 7-point

bipolar scale ranging from extremely unsafe to extremely safe. These bipolar scales will also

have one question relating to traveling around during the day, compared to at night.

Data Analysis Strategy

After the data are collected and finalized I will analyze it using SPSS. I will first run

frequencies for the demographic questions. To test each of my hypotheses I will run different

types of bivariate analyses. The first bivariate analysis I will run to test my first hypothesis will

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be a crosstabulation. Running a crosstabulation will allow me analyze whether women are more

likely than men to research crime rates in the area before they choose where they want to live. To

test my second hypothesis I will also run a crosstabulation to examine if a higher amount of

seniors choose where they want to live based on recent crime rates in the area in comparison to

freshman. To test my third hypothesis I will run an ANOVA and a crosstabulation to examine

whether students who were previously victimized choose their housing to avoid revictimization

in comparison to those students who were not previously victimized. To test my final hypothesis

I will run a crosstabulation and a t-test to examine if men feel safer walking around

UCF/Orlando in comparison to women.

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References

Armstrong, Elizabeth A., Laura Hamilton, and Brian Sweeney. 2006. “Sexual Assault on

Campus: A Multilevel, Integrative Approach to Party Rape.” Social Problems 53(4):483-

499.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2007. “Crime in Schools and Colleges: A Study of Offenders

and Arrestees Reported via National Incident-Based Reporting System Data.” Retrieved

Nov. 25, 2014. (http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/nibrs/crime-in-schools-and-

colleges).

Fox, Kathleen A., Matt R. Nobles, and Alex R. Piquero. 2009. “Gender, Crime Victimization

and Fear of Crime.” Security Journal 22(1):24-39.

Gregory, Dennis E. and Steven M. Janosik. 2006. “The Views of Senior Residence Life and

Housing Administrators on the Clery Act and Campus Safety.” Journal of College and

University Student Housing 34(1):50-57.

Hindelang, Michael J., Michael R. Gottfredson, and James Garofalo. 1978. Victims of Personal

Crime: An Empirical Foundation for a Theory of Personal Victimization. Cambridge,

MA: Ballinger.

Ong, Seow-Eng, Milena Petrova, and Andrew C. Spieler. 2007. “Demand for University Student

Housing: An Empirical Analysis.” Journal of Housing Research 22(2):141-164.

Sanders, Mark. 2012. “Creating a Safe Haven for University Students: How Are We Doing?”

Journal of Access Services 9(4):200-211.

Steinmetz, Nancy M., and D. Mark Austin. 2013. “Fear of Criminal Victimization on a College

Campus: A Visual and Survey Analysis of Location and Demographic Factors. Southern

Criminal Justice Association 39: 511-537.

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Tomisch, Elizabeth A., Angela R. Gover, and Wesley G. Jennings. 2011. “Examining the Role of

Gender in the Prevalence of Campus Victimization, Perceptions of Fear and Risk of

Crime, and the Use of Constrained Behaviors Among College Students Attending a

Large Urban University.” Journal of Criminal Justice Education 22(2): 181-202.

Turchik, Jessica A. 2012. “Sexual Victimization Among Male College Students: Assault

Severity, Sexual Functioning, and Health Risk Behaviors.” Psychology of Men &

Masculinity 13(3):243-255.

Turchik, Jessica A., and Christina M. Hassija. 2014. “Female Sexual Victimization Among

College Students: Assault Severity, Health Risk Behaviors, and Sexual Functioning.”

Journal of Interpersonal Violence 29(13):2439-2457.

Zhou, Jiangping. 2014. “From Better Understandings to Proactive Actions: Housing Location

and Commuting Mode Choices Among University Students.” Journal of Transport

Policy 33:166-175.

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Appendix

Informed Consent Form     Introduction   The purpose of this project is to understand how students select their housing choices while attending college. This study attempts to collect information about student crime victimization rates and whether they impact students’ decision on where to live while attending the University of Central Florida.     Procedures   You will be given a series of questions in regards to your demographics, safety concerns and victimization. The questionnaire will take approximately 10 minutes or less. Questions are designed to determine how you choose your housing based on your past victimization experience. This questionnaire will be conducted with an online Qualtrics-created survey.     Risks/Discomforts   Risks are minimal for involvement in this study. However, you may feel emotionally uneasy when asked to answer questions about personal victimization. If you begin to feel extremely comfortable and are having trouble dealing with past victimization please contact the University of Central Florida's Counseling and Psychological Center (CAPS) and speak with a counselor at (407) 823-2811 or via email [email protected]. Although we do not expect any harm to come upon any participants due to electronic malfunction of the computer, it is possible though extremely rare and uncommon.     Benefits   There are no direct benefits for participants. However, it is hoped that through your participation, researchers will learn more about how crime rates effect students' choices on where to live while attending the University of Central Florida.     Confidentiality   All data obtained from participants will be kept confidential and will only be reported in an aggregate format (by reporting only combined results and never reporting individual ones). All questionnaires will be concealed, and no one other than then primary investigator and assistant researches listed below will have access to them. The data collected will be stored in the HIPPA-compliant, Qualtrics-secure database until the primary investigator has deleted it.     Compensation   There is no direct compensation for participation in this study.     Participation   You are being invited to take part in a research study. Whether you take part is up to you.     Questions About the Research   If you have questions, concerns, or complaints please contact Kristin Bayer, Undergraduate Student, Department of Sociology, College of Sciences, at [email protected] or Dr. Amy Donley, PI, Department of Sociology by telephone at (407) 823-1357 or by email at [email protected].     IRB Contact About Your Rights in the Study or to Report a Complaint:    Research at the University of Central Florida involving human participants is carried out under the oversight of the Institutional Review Board (UCF IRB). This research has been reviewed and approved by the IRB. For information about the rights of people who take part in research, please contact: Institutional Review Board, University of Central Florida, Office of Research & Commercialization, 12201 Research Parkway, Suite 501, Orlando, FL 32826-3246 or by telephone at (407) 823-2901.

I have read and understood the above consent form and desire of my own free will to participate in this study.  Yes (1) No (2)If No Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Survey

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Are you over the age of 18?

Yes (1) No (2)If No Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Survey

Are you currently enrolled in classes at the University of Central Florida? Yes (1) No (2)If No Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Survey

The following questions will ask you about your current living situation.

Do you live on campus? Yes (1) No (2)If No Is Selected, Then Skip To Do you live in affiliated housing?

Answer If Do you live on campus? Yes Is SelectedWhich dorm do you live in?If Which dorm do you live in? Is Not Empty, Then Skip To End of Block

Do you live in affiliated housing? Yes (1) No (2)If No Is Selected, Then Skip To Do you live with your parents?

Answer If Do you live in affiliated housing? Yes Is SelectedWhich affiliated housing complex do you live in?If If you selected yes, which ... Is Not Empty, Then Skip To End of Block

Do you live with your parents? Yes (1) No (2)If No Is Selected, Then Skip To If no, do you live in non-affiliated ...If Yes Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Block

Do you live in non-affiliated housing? Yes (1) No (2)If No Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Block

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Answer If Do you live in non-affiliated housing? Yes Is SelectedWhat kind of non-affiliated housing do you live in? Apartment (1) House (2) Other: (3) ____________________If Apartment Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Block If Other: Is Not Empty, Then Skip To End of Block

Answer If What kind of non-affiliated housing do you live in? House Is SelectedDo you rent or own the house? Rent (1) Own (2)

The following questions will give you an opportunity to tell us about your safety experiences on and off campus. Please answer as openly and honestly. 

How many hours a week do you spend on campus?______ Going to class (1)______ Studying (2)______ Eating (3)______ Hanging with friends (4)______ Going to parties (5)______ Playing a sport (6)______ Teaching or assisting a class (7)______ Volunteering (8)______ Doing other extracurricular activities (9)

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How safe do you feel walking around campus during the day?

Extremely Safe (1)

Very Safe (2)

Safe (3)

Unsafe (4)

Very Unsafe

(5)

Extremely Unsafe

(6)

I don't go to this

location (7)

Inside the John T. Washington

Center/Breezeway (1)

Inside the John C. Hitt Library (2)

Inside the UCF Recreation and

Wellness Center (3)

Lake Claire (4)

Knights Plaza (5)

Brighthouse Stadium (6)

Memory Mall (7)

Garage A (8)

Garage B (9)

Garage C (10)

Garage D (11)

Garage H (12)

Garage I (13)

Greek Row (14)

Student Union (15)

The Nature Trails (16)

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How safe do you feel walking around campus at night?

Extremely Safe (1)

Very Safe (2)

Safe (3)

Unsafe (4)

Very Unsafe

(5)

Extremely Unsafe

(6)

I don't go to this

location (7)

Inside the John T. Washington

Center/Breezeway (1)

Inside the John C. Hitt Library (2)

Inside the UCF Recreation and

Wellness Center (3)

Lake Claire (4)

Knights Plaza (5)

Brighthouse Stadium (6)

Memory Mall (7)

Garage A (8)

Garage B (9)

Garage C (10)

Garage D (11)

Garage H (12)

Garage I (13)

Greek Row (14)

Student Union (15)

The Nature Trails (16)

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How safe do you feel traveling around Orlando during the day?

1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)

Extremely Safe:Extremely

Unsafe (1)

How safe do you feel traveling around Orlando at night?

1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)

Extremely Safe:Extremely

Unsafe (1)

How safe do you feel the University of Central Florida's campus is?

1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)

Extremely Safe:Extremely

Unsafe (1)

Answer If Do you live on campus? Yes Is SelectedHow safe do you feel your dorm is?

1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)

Extremely Safe:Extremely

Unsafe (1)

Answer If Do you live in affiliated housing? Yes Is SelectedHow safe do you feel your affiliated housing is?

1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)

Extremely Safe:Extremely

Unsafe (1)

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Answer If Do you live with your parents? Yes Is SelectedHow safe do you feel your parents' house is?

1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)

Extremely Safe:Extremely

Unsafe (1)

Answer If What kind of non-affiliated housing do you live in? Apartment Is SelectedHow safe do you feel your apartment is?

1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)

Extremely Safe:Extremely

Unsafe (1)

Answer If What kind of non-affiliated housing do you live in? House Is SelectedHow safe do you feel your house is?

1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)

Extremely Safe:Extremely

Unsafe (1)

How likely are you going to move within the next year? Very Unlikely (1) Unlikely (2) Somewhat Unlikely (3) Undecided (4) Somewhat Likely (5) Likely (6) Very Likely (7)

Answer If Do you live on campus? Yes Is SelectedDo you feel safer living on campus compared to if you were to have lived off campus? Yes (1) No (2)

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Answer If Do you live on campus? Yes Is SelectedDid you choose to live on campus to avoid crime that occurs off campus? Yes (1) No (2)

Answer If Did you choose to live on campus to avoid crime that occurs off campus? Yes Is SelectedWhat type of crime were you trying to avoid? Please select all that apply. Aggravated Assault (1) Sexual Assault (2) Robbery (3) Burglary (4) Motor Vehicle Theft (5) Property Vandalism (6) Not Sure (7) Other: (8) ____________________

Answer If Do you live in affiliated housing? Yes Is Selected Or Do you live in non-affiliated housing? Yes Is Selected Or Do you live with your parents? Yes Is SelectedWhy did you choose to live off campus? Please select all that apply. Cheaper (1) Closer to work (2) Closer to downtown (3) To avoid crime on campus (4) To avoid campus traffic (5) Living with friends (6) I have pets (7) Needed a change of scenery (8) Other: (9) ____________________

The following questions will ask you about your knowledge of crime, as well as your past victimization experiences.  Please answer openly and honestly. 

Are you aware of recent crimes that have occurred in the Orlando area? Yes (1) No (2)

Do you watch the news? Yes (1) No (2)

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Answer If Do you watch the news? No Is SelectedHow do you get your information about current events? Internet (1) Newspaper (2) Hearsay (3) All of the above (4) None of the above (5) Other: (6) ____________________

Did you choose your housing choice based on crime rates in the Orlando area? Yes (1) No (2)

Did you choose your housing based on crime in particular housing options? Yes (1) No (2)

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Please select the answer that applies to you the most.

Always (1) Most of the Time (2)

Sometimes (3)

Rarely (4) Never (5)

I look over my shoulder:

(1)

I am aware of my

surroundings: (2)

I carry pepper spray: (3)

I am afraid of victimization:

(4)

I am afraid of people I pass

by when walking: (5)

I lock my doors as soon as I

enter my car: (6)

I avoid going out at night:

(7)

I travel by myself: (8)

I trust new people I meet: (9)

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Please answer as openly and honestly as possible to the following statements:

On campus Off campus

Yes (1) No (2) Yes (3) No (4)

You have been victimized. (1)

You know someone who

has been victimized (2)

You have heard of someone

being victimized. (3)

Answer If Please answer as openly and honestly as possible to the following statements: You have been victimized. - On campus - Yes Is Selected Or Please answer as openly and honestly as possible to the following statements: You have been victimized. - Off campus - Yes Is SelectedAre you still living in the same place when you were victimized? Yes (1) No (2)

Answer If Are you still living in the same place when you were victimized? Yes Is SelectedAre you planning on moving because of your victimization? Yes (1) No (2)

Please answer the following question as honestly as possible.______ How many times have you been victimized? (1)

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Answer If Please answer the following question as honestly as possible. How many times have you been victimized? Is Does Not Contain 0What kind of victimization were you subject to? Please select all that apply.  Aggravated Assault (1) Sexual Assault (2) Robbery (3) Burglary (4) Motor Vehicle Theft (5) Property Vandalism (6) Domestic Violence/IPV (7) Fraud (8) Other: (9) ____________________

What is your racial/ethnic background? White/Caucasian Hispanic or Non-Hispanic (1) Black/African American (2) Latin/Hispanic (3) Asian/Pacific Islander (4) Native American/American Indian (5) Biracial (6) Multiracial (7) Other: (8) ____________________

Answer If What is your racial/ethnic background? White/Caucasian Is SelectedWould you consider yourself: White; Non-Hispanic (1) White; Hispanic (2)

What is your age?

What is your gender? Male (1) Female (2)

What is your sexual orientation? Heterosexual (1) Homosexual (2) Bisexual (3) Other: (4) ____________________

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What is your current class standing? Freshman 0-30 credits (1) Sophomore 31-59 credits (2) Junior 60-89 credits (3) Senior 90-120 credits (4) Graduate Student more than 120 credits (5)

What is your major?

Are you a first generation college student? Yes (1) No (2)

If you or someone you know has been a victim of crime, violence, or abuse you can get help and resources from Victim Services. Please contact UCF's Victim Services 24/7 hotline at (407) 832-1200 to speak with an advocate.

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