Victimisation and fear of crime in Brazil: The effect on the desire to move
| Published date | 01 June 2023 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/26338076231168403 |
| Author | Wander Plassa,Luan V Bernardelli,Michael A Kortt |
| Date | 01 June 2023 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Victimisation and fear of crime
in Brazil: The effect on the
desire to move
Wander Plassa
Department of Economics, State University of Paraná, Apucarana, PR,
Brazil
Luan V Bernardelli
Department of Management and Economics, State University of Paraná,
Apucarana, PR, Brazil
Michael A Kortt
School of Business and Tourism, Southern Cross University,
Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
We examined the effect of victimisation and fear of crime in Brazil and its attendant influ-
ence on the desire to move. Data drawn from the 2012 National Victimisation Survey were
used to model the relationship between victimisation and the desire to move, with fear of
crime used as a mediator variable. Our results indicate that being a victim of crime leads to
increased fear, which, in tur n, increases the de sire to move. Howeve r, the indirect effect is
comparatively small (i.e., our mediator variable—fear of crime—only marginally attenuates
the relationship between victimisation and the desire to move). We also found evidence that
property victimisation, victimisation occurring close to an individual’s home, and indirect
victimisation (i.e., hearing about a crime committed against another person in the neigh-
bourhood) were also predictors of an increased desire to move in Brazil. Lastly, our results
also suggest the importance of distinguishing between victimisation that occurred in the last
12 months compared to victimisation that occurred more than 12 months ago. Thus, pol-
icies that reduce victimisation and fear of crime may minimise the desire t o move and any
related economic and social costs.
Corresponding author:
Wander Plassa, Department of Economics, State University of Paraná, Apucarana –PR, 86813-010, Brazil.
Email: wanderplassa@gmail.com
Article
Journal of Criminology
2023, Vol. 56(2-3) 194–212
© The Author(s) 2023
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/26338076231168403
journals.sagepub.com/home/anj
Keywords
Brazil, fear of crime, mediation, moving intention, victimisation
Date received: 5 October 2022; accepted: 12 March 2023
Introduction
Although there are signs of decline in the 2017–2018 period, Brazilian homicide rates are con-
tinuously ranked among the highest violent crime rates in the world. Recent data from the
World Bank reveals that, in 2018, almost 60,000 people were murdered in Brazil, with 27.4
victims per 100,000 inhabitants. Only El Salvador (52.0), Jamaica (43.9), Honduras (38.9),
Venezuela (36.7), and Mexico (29.1) had higher homicide rates per 100,000 inhabitants. In
contrast, the United States, for example, was in the 28
th
position, with a rate of five victims
per 100,000 inhabitants (16,214 people were murdered in the US in 2018).
However, homicide is not the only concern in Brazil. Other crimes, such as robbery, theft, drug
trafficking, and aggression, also present at high rates (Fórum Brasileiro de Segurança Pública,
2021). This helps to explain why the Brazilian population reported the highest rates of fear of
violent crime in the world in 2021 (Global Peace Index, 2022). Against this background, several
adverse consequences may be observed in victims’daily routines. Precautionary behaviour such
as avoiding risky places or people, not walking in the dark or using public transport, and staying
at home more often are some examples of the consequences of crime (e.g., Averdijk, 2011;
Garofalo, 1981; Skogan & Maxfield, 1982; Rountree & Land, 1996).
Researchers have also shown that violence influences the desire to move, and these studies
can be generally divided into two strands. First, from the macro-level perspective, it is possible
to see how violence in a region increases people’s desire to migrate to other cities, states, and
countries (e.g., Boggess & Hipp, 2010; Liska & Bellair, 1995; Roth et al., 2020). Second,
micro-level analysis allows one to understand how personal victimisation may impact the deci-
sion to move (e.g., Dugan, 1999; McNeeley & Stutzenberger, 2013; Xie & McDowall, 2008b).
It is important to note that personal victimisation can also include indirect victimisation, where
individuals witness the effects of crimes suffered by others (Roth et al., 2020; Xie &
McDowall, 2008b).
Decisions to move may generate substantial monetary and psychological costs for victims
(Najdowski & Ullman, 2009; Yetter, 2018). The related financial expenses comprise direct
costs associated with breaking rental agreements and indirect costs like missing work to
search for a new residence. The psychological costs of moving can also result in the victim
experiencing prolonged emotional and social distress (Dugan, 1999).
Against this background, we use data from the 2012 Brazilian National Victimisation
Survey (NVS) to examine whether victimisation is associated with an increased desire to
move. We also explored how this association was influenced by: (i) the type of victimisation
(e.g., person or property), (ii) the location of victimisation (e.g., at home or elsewhere), (iii) the
proximity of victimisation (e.g., your next-door neighbour was the victim), and (iv) when the
victimisation occurred (e.g., within 12 months).
Moreover, studies have identified that fear of crime mediates the relationship between
victimisation and the desire to move once people believe their house and neighbourhood are
less safe (Engel & Ibáñez, 2007; McNeeley & Stutzenberger, 2013; Roth et al., 2020).
Therefore, we used mediation analysis with fear of crime at the individual and neighbourhood
Plassa et al. 195
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