“ A bear can only kill me; a man could do so much worse ” : exploring the gender fear gap among university students in the context of the man versus bear debate

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors contributing to the gender fear gap and the extent to which media representations influence fear of crime among male and female university students. Despite growing awareness of the gender fear gap, limited research explores its root causes and the media's influence remains questioned. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five male and five female undergraduate students from UK universities. Findings indicate that gendered socialisation strongly shapes individuals’ perceptions of risk, responses to threats, and perceived vulnerability to sexual violence, with media portrayals further amplifying the gendered differences in fear of crime.PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT Rather than placing the burden of risk management solely on women through avoidance-focused advice, universities should implement targeted, gender-sensitive safety messaging and proactive institutional measures. By fostering open dialogue and creating tailored safety initiatives for both male and female students, institutions can challenge rigid gender norms and cultivate safer, more inclusive campus environments while ensuring compliance with E6 regulations.