The Fear Of Crime In Jamaica Criminology Essay

The concernfulness Of umbrage In Jamaica Criminology EssayThe precaution of evil has been a major factor indoors Jamaicas order of magnitude as it affects the coun humbles resource and packs just about(prenominal), restriction of life-style, poor quality of life, comwork forcecement/ lack cartel, disempowerment, increasing financial costs and lack of education. every of these factors occupy an carry on on solicitude trains. This has contri excepted to a lot of criminal offenses that has non realise as well as tribe affrighting for at that place lives. Many mess in at presents society express anxiety and affright rough shame, and about being victimized. There is not much security or confidence in the police as they themselves help to contribute to about of the equity-breaking commit. People react to revere in different ways. Some mint try to avoid law-breaking, early(a)s try to protect themselves, and still others try to maintain victimization by not possessing anything for which they quite a little be victimized.Both the political science and the police lease launched attempts to humiliate the publics fear of abomination. Police services open created numerous programs including education of victimization trys and of protective behaviours, Neighbourhood Watch, Crime bar finished and through Environmental Design such as (police vernal soulfulness clubs), and stand patrol. The government has implemented new legislation, such as amendments to the administration of youth justice. The media play a substantial role in determining the hail of fear of disgust that multitude hold. This comes from the fact that the media extensively and disproportionately run discourtesy stories. This leads raft to believe that there is more detestation than there actually is, and believing that a great amount of crime exists in society leads people to fear.The Impact of Fear of CrimeCrime and fear of crime ar important matters of veneration to communities across Jamaica. The most of import factor when examining the impact of fear of crime is to determining whether or not the fear is proportionate to the actual incidence of crime. Yes we fear crime as a turn up we be afraid to go to the police because of what we fear. So we live with the consequences that the law does not do it job, yet we the citizens has import study that sight help ourselves will not do so.The Positive doWhen the fear of crime is impartial to reality, people ar cognisant of the guesss conjugate with various face-to-face violence offences. This level of fear or concern can promote good individualised beneficialty habits and improved rest home and dimension security, thereby minimizing the risks of bonny a victim.The Negative EffectsWhen the fear of crime becomes disproportionate to the reality, the positive effects whitethorn swiftly be replaced with a string of devastating effects on a persons life style and quality of life. These effects can include rough people whitethorn be afraid of particular fictitious characters of crime but not of otherssome individuals may be afraid of crime in the home but not in public placesthere is a wide cat of perceptions of crime, which differ across sections of society, for example, women, older Jamaicans and young childrenmany factors contribute to fear of crime, including face-to-face victimization, anecdotal evidence and the reporting of incidents in the mediathe perception of the conclusion of criminal activity is not supported by the evidence of crimes committed.All these factors affect each of us differently as we may get wind that we are not a part of this. The rate at which fear of crime has increased in Jamaica, as significant implementation on our youths as they are the ones that are being influenced the most.What affect crime today in Jamaica?Restriction of Lifestyle fear of crime often causes people to avoid situations and curtail movements, so metimes to the extent that they become reluctant to abjure their own home or to talk to the police for fear of their lives. low Quality of Life not solo as a result of restricting their movements, but many people either avoid previously enjoyed activities in an attempt to ensure personal safety, or undertake the activities without utilisation due to an overwhelming fear. This cause great strain on the person as they may become depress and do not try to change their status of living as it crystallize no grit to.Low/ lack Confidence fear of crime often decreases a persons confidence in their surroundings. This lack of confidence is portrayed in their organic structure language which conveys the appearance of an easy victim to offenders, who target vulnerability. Not that does the lack of confidence thereby increase the risk of go a victim of personal violence, it similarly reduces a persons ability to effectively handle with an attack, as they often lack faith in their ab ility to quit the attack or escape.Disempowerment by constantly feeling at risk of personal violence, a disempowering victim mentality is often adopted. This may set ahead decrease a persons confidence and appearance of vulnerability, increasing their risk of nice a victim.Increasing Financial Costs not only can this cost be evidenced by the community generally, but also on an individual basis by those people whose fear of crime leads them to turning their home into a fortress or flee from the theater where there is a lot of violence.Lack of raising not only are they rised enough to know what they are doing is wrong. It is easy to mark how we characterized problems with drugs, crime, teen pregnancy, unemployment, idle youth, abandoned houses, and unresponsive police can be stressful. Still to be conceptualized are the mechanisms through which neighborhood disorder may shape the behaviour practices of its residents.Contributing Factors to Fear of CrimeThere are a number of factors which may significantly increase the fear of crime in the community, includingMedia Sensationalism Bad News Sells.Incidents of crime often bewilder a good story. Subsequently, the media is quick to report on banish incidents that communicate whilst ignoring positive ones. Thus a perception is often generated that there is a higher risk of encountering crime than what there rightfully is. This is perhaps outstrip highlighted in incidents involving older people and young children, which seem to attract a dramatically disproportionate amount of media coverage to reality of occurrences, thereby significantly increasing the fear of crime of this group and young children. This poses a negative impact on the republic and the government as this vandalized the character of the country on an international level and the Human Rights bodies are wondering if we really can combat crime. This dampens the countrys resource to earn foreign exchange through tourism and other sectors a s people fear of crime habitude let them be a victim of these said crime.Music/ enjoymentThis influence our youths in major ways as the jargon of medicament they listen to influence their behaviour to be a part of gangs or fear being victim of crime by gangs. This has to do with the type of behaviours shown in our school by both gender as a result this impact on them psychologically and physically. Their adaptation to these types of music influences their level of thinking and behaviours whether positive or negative and thus will impact on society greatly.Continuum of Minor HarassmentFrequent exposure to incidents of tyke harassment, e.g. inappropriate comments and un privationed sexual touching, can build a significant effect of peoples perceptions of risk and their levels of fear as this may affect both gender. This may affect them psychologically and therefore affects them to function productive in todays society. Sometime our boys may be victims of sexual harassment but bec ause society sees men as tough, enough emphasis has not been place on their well being. This type of stigma affects them deeply as they may want to kill the person that has done this to them and eventually become killers.Perceptions of VulnerabilityA number of factors may contribute to personal perceptions of vulnerability such as age, gender, sensed physical strength, fear of sexual assault, previous victimization, and so on This make them weak with fear of a crime will be committed against them.Perceived Loss of ControlIn his 1995 book Fear of Crime Interpreting Victimization, Ferraro established from a literature review that impertinence encompassed both physical and social environments.Physical incivility refers to disorderly surroundings such as litter, abandoned buildings/cars, graffiti, broken/barricaded windows, etc. Whereas social incivility includes disruptive behaviour such as rowdy youths, homeless people, beggars, drunks and thoughtless neighbours.These incivilitie s may, either separately or combined, indirectly heighten fear of crime through giving the impression of a loss of control of the environment and a lack of caring.Anticipation of Serious ConsequencesFor both women and men, the seriousness of intrusion is often perceived as equal in consequence to murder. nevertheless if a man is rape by a woman it may not be interpreted seriously if reported to the police as a woman, so subsequently their anticipation of the serious consequences of this type of crime is extremely high.Likewise some people, especially those who are older, suffering ill-health, physically incapacitated or financially limited, may catch high levels of fear generated through their perceived lack of ability to physically and financially recruit from a crime incident perpetrated against them.Extent of Fear of CrimeWhilst the most consistent finding in Jamaica on fear of crime is that women are more fearful than men, it remains that the effects of fear of crime are wid e reaching and cross both gender and age boundaries some of the major findings includeAll respondents of the survey (young and old, male and female) saw young people in particular as a source of flagellum in public placesYoung women feared sexual assault and young men sawthemselves as potential targets for assaults and robberies by gangsMost people have a general fear about unpredictable strangers especially in public places a nightAge is an important indicator of perceived risk and worry about crime. Middle-aged respondents perceive themselves at most risk of property crime and worry most about it. trance young people see themselves as at greater risk of crimes against them and have a higher level of worryOlder people may feel more vulnerable but they tend not to place themselves in risky situations.Of the twenty persons that did the questionnaire I strand that 75% of women surveyed felt unsafe in public places at night and that found that 55% of women felt unsafe waiting for pu blic transport only when after dark especially in the Kingston area.Strategies to Address a Disproportionate Fear of CrimeA disproportionate fear of crime can severely detract from a persons health and well-being. It is therefore demand to identify a number of strategies that may reduce this fear, includingCommunity EducationThis is important to address the underlying reasons behind peoples fear of crime and educate them of the common trends, actual risks and effective personal safety strategies to minimise their chances of becoming a victim. This way the first steps will be taken to ensuring all people enjoy a healthy and positive lifestyle unfettered by unnecessary constraints.This education could take place through presentations delivered to any community group or forum, including Neighbourhood Watch, Kiwanis, Rotary, sporting groups, etc.Media CoverageMedia coverage of success stories coupled with the realistic characterisation of personal violence risks will significantly co ntribute to the reduction of fear. People can support this strategy by advising the media (particularly local papers) of success stories they are conscious(predicate) of, or by making complaints in relation to the unrealistic portrayal of personal violence resulting from particular stories shown on the television.Assertive Behaviour load-bearing(a) community members, friends and family to be assertive and confident will assist in reducing their fear of crime, as well as their risk of becoming a victim of personal violence.Reinforcement of Personal StrengthsPeople who visit fear are generally not confident in maintaining their personal safety. By encouraging people to be committed to their personal safety, and reinforcing their personal strengths, such as negotiation skills, physical strength and/or egotism defense skills, you can assist to increase their confidence and commitment to their safety, and reduce their fear of crime.Home and Property Security EducationProviding communi ty members with crime prevention information on topics such as home and property security, may alleviate their fear of crime by being aware of, and taking action to address their fear whilst in the home or of having property stolen.The Police and Government reactionPolice and politicians alike hoped that by providing the fearful with accurate and true information on victimization risks, crime rates, crime in their neighbourhoods, and proper ways to protect themselves, people would have no reason to fear, and fear would be reduced. Educating people about crime is a simple and inexpensive method of reducing fear compared to other methods such as increasing the number of police officers or changing legislation. This method though does not guarantee decreased levels of fear.ConclusionFear of crime is real and it affects peoples quality of life. Fear has not been reduced and people do not feel safer. As long as fear persists, the public will continue to call for more of the same acrimo nious measures. It is time that politicians and leaders stop merely reacting to fear by proposing simplistic, short-run solutions to the complex problems of crime. Years of research have shown that the correctional practices we now have in place are not effective in creating safe communities and simply delay the problem, thereby not reducing fear in the long-term.The public looks to others for help in reducing the fear of crime, but the people the public looks to for guidance cannot always be of help. When the public sees that the police, the government and the law are unable to assist them with their concerns, individuals will often take agitate of the situation for themselves with this type of mentality can lead to vigilantism.