Fear of Crime Victimization among Females in Public Spaces

Background: Fear of crime significantly undermines community cohesion, transforming public spaces into perceived no-go areas due to heightened insecurity. This social issue notably affects women, limiting their engagement in public life and escalating safety-related expenditures and avoidance behaviors. Objective: The study aims to explore the fear of crime victimization among females in public spaces, focusing on the intensity of their fear, the factors contributing to it, and the resultant consequences on their personal and social lives. Methods: This qualitative study utilized semi-structured in-depth interviews with thirty female residents of the hostels at the University of Punjab, Lahore. Participants were selected until saturation was achieved, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena. The interview data were thematically analyzed to extract pertinent themes related to the research objectives. Results: The findings reveal that females feel significantly more vulnerable to crime victimization compared to males, with reported feelings of insecurity affecting 90% of the participants. This heightened vulnerability leads to behavioral changes, with 85% of respondents avoiding certain public spaces at night and 75% experiencing induced personality disorders such as anxiety and heightened stress. Conclusion: The pervasive fear of crime among women restricts their participation in urban life and exacerbates dependency and psychological distress. Addressing these concerns requires targeted interventions to enhance public space security and foster a supportive community environment.