Search Results (238)

Perceived safety strongly shapes how residents use and experience their neighborhoods, yet evidence on how spatial and social factors interact in rapidly urbanizing Asian cities remains limited. This study investigates the role of natural surveillance, spatial connectivity, and perceived incivilities in shaping residents’ perceived safety in Bayan Baru, Malaysia, with fear of crime examined as a key mediating factor. A face-to-face survey of 300 adults measured five constructs: natural surveillance, spatial connectivity, perceived incivilities, fear of crime, and perceived safety. Data were analyzed using PLS-SEM in SmartPLS 4.0, supported by bootstrapping and predictive relevance tests. Results showed that natural surveillance and spatial connectivity increased perceived safety both directly and indirectly by reducing fear, while perceived incivilities undermined perceived safety through heightened fear. Additional interdependencies indicated that spatial connectivity strengthened natural surveillance, which in turn reduced perceived incivilities and reinforced perceived safety, though connectivity alone did not directly reduce incivilities. Mediation analysis confirmed fear of crime as a central psychological bridge linking environmental cues to safety evaluations. These findings highlight how the interplay of visibility, connectivity, and disorder shape perceived safety in Malaysian neighbourhood settings. Interventions should combine design improvements, maintenance of public space, and community engagement to reduce fear and strengthen everyday confidence in neighborhood safety. Full article

Crime in Seattle, WA (USA), has long been concentrated in a few discrete geographic areas. This study examines the impact of a one-year place-based soft policing intervention to reduce crime and disorder in these two acutely affected areas: The Blade and Little Saigon. Employing Bayesian Structural Time Series (BSTS) to estimate the treatment effect of the intervention on several crimes and calls for service measures, we find mixed results with important implications. One area responded with significant reductions in crime and community-driven calls for service. The second treatment area did not reflect these effects, suggesting that key contextual variations may influence performance of Problem-Oriented Policing treatments. Additionally, treatment effects in the first location were observed to partially diminish over time, indicating a point of diminishing returns. This study suggests that a multi-partner soft policing approach to crime reduction is effective; however, treatment must be tailored to local context, and treatment areas should be expected to adjust, necessitating programed variability to maintain treatment efficacy. A “test-as-you-go” approach is critical to optimal performance. Implications for future place-based interventions are discussed. Full article

Seconds count differently for people in danger. We present a real-time streaming pipeline for audio-based detection of hazardous life events affecting life and property. The system operates online rather than as a retrospective analysis tool. Its objective is to reduce the latency between the occurrence of a crime, conflict, or accident and the corresponding response by authorities. The key idea is to map reality as perceived by audio into a written story and question the text via a large language model. The method integrates streaming, zero-shot algorithms in an online decoding mode that convert sound into short, interpretable tokens, which are processed by a lightweight language model. CLAP text–audio prompting identifies agitation, panic, and distress cues, combined with conversational dynamics derived from speaker diarization. Lexical information is obtained through streaming automatic speech recognition, while general audio events are detected by a streaming version of Audio Spectrogram Transformer tagger. Prosodic features are incorporated using pitch- and energy-based rules derived from robust F0 tracking and periodicity measures. The system uses a large language model configured for online decoding and outputs binary (YES/NO) life-threatening risk decisions every two seconds, along with a brief justification and a final session-level verdict. The system emphasizes interpretability and accountability. We evaluate it on a subset of the X-Violence dataset, comprising only real-world videos. We release code, prompts, decision policies, evaluation splits, and example logs to enable the community to replicate, critique, and extend our blueprint. Full article

This paper examines the role of institutional logics in shaping heritage-led urban regeneration across fifteen adaptive reuse projects of former tobacco factories in Europe. By categorizing managing authorities into public, private, and community-led actors, the study interprets regeneration outcomes, such as community participation, tourism growth, and crime reduction, through the lens of institutional theory. The analysis reveals that each authority type operates under distinct logics: regulative (public), market-driven (private), and normative (community), which significantly influence the depth and type of impact achieved. Through a comparative framework and empirical indicators, the paper highlights how institutional arrangements affect not only project design but also questions of inclusion, identity, and sustainability. Findings challenge simplistic binaries of top-down versus bottom-up governance and offer a more nuanced understanding of how urban heritage can serve divergent values. The paper concludes with implications for urban policy and future research on hybrid and participatory models of heritage governance. Full article

Urbanicity is a recognized determinant of mental health, yet conventional measures such as population density or the rural–urban divide often fail to capture the complex realities of informal settlements in low- and middle-income countries. This paper conceptualizes neighborhood effects through the lived experiences of young women in Kampala, Uganda, drawing on participatory research from the NIH-funded TOPOWA study. Using community mapping and Photovoice, participants identified neighborhood features that shape wellbeing, including sanitation facilities, drainage systems, alcohol outlets, health centers, schools, boda boda stages (motorcycle taxis), lodges, religious institutions, water sources, markets, and recreational spaces. These methods revealed both stressors—poor waste management, flooding, violence, gendered harassment, crime, and alcohol-related harms—and protective resources, including education, places of worship, health centers, social networks, identity, and sports activities. We argue that urbanicity in slum contexts should be understood as a multidimensional construct encompassing deprivation, fragmentation, exclusion, and resilience. This reconceptualization advances conceptual clarity, strengthens the validity of mental health research in low-resource settings, and informs interventions that simultaneously address structural risks and promote community assets. The case of Kampala demonstrates how participatory evidence can reshape the understanding of neighborhood effects with implications, for global mental health research and practice. Full article

Police crime reports are a critical but often underutilized source of information for understanding intimate partner violence (IPV). They provide systematic, population-level data on when, where, and how IPV incidents occur, complementing surveys and clinical studies. This study provides a descriptive analysis of IPV crime reports in Los Angeles (January 2020–December 2023) and models temporal trends using Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA). Results showed that a total of 74,776 IPV-related incidents were reported to the LAPD in the four-year period, averaging 51.22 incidents per day (SD = 10.84). Most incidents occurred in residential settings (71.9%), followed by public spaces (18.2%) and transportation settings (6.5%). Females accounted for the majority of incidents (77.35%) compared to males (22.65%), and Physical IPV was the most frequently reported subtype (77.0%). Of these Physical IPV reports, most incidents did not involve a weapon (83.82%), while the use of firearms, bladed weapons, blunt objects, and improvised implements was relatively uncommon. Temporal modeling using SARIMA indicated that month-to-month variation was dominated by stable seasonal and autoregressive dynamics, with no evidence of a distinct pandemic-specific shift in call volume. By integrating descriptive and temporal analyses, the study offers actionable insights for public health, law enforcement, and community organizations working to prevent and respond to IPV. Full article

The CHIARA Project investigates women’s mental health and vulnerability to sex trafficking in the U.S.–Mexico border states (California, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico). A mixed-methods design was employed, combining qualitative content analysis of media, legal, and policy documents with quantitative analyses of secondary datasets from health institutions, the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the Polaris Project, and the U.S. Census Bureau. Data were cleaned, integrated, and examined through descriptive statistics, regression models, and correlation matrices using R Studio, complemented by visualizations to identify patterns and hotspots. Results show a strong association between higher crime rates, reported trafficking cases, and the prevalence of mental health disorders such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety among women. California and Texas consistently reported higher trafficking cases and mental health burdens, while regression analyses highlighted poverty, limited education, and gender inequality as significant predictors of vulnerability. These findings underscore the interplay between socioeconomic conditions and gender-specific exploitation at the border. By linking mental health and trafficking indicators, the study provides actionable insights for community leaders, policymakers, and healthcare providers, emphasizing the need for trauma-informed care, targeted prevention strategies, and policies that address both structural inequities and survivor rehabilitation. Full article

Cybersexual victimization is a growing public health concern with severe psychosocial consequences, particularly for younger populations. Despite growing awareness of its prevalence, understanding how cybersexual victimization evolves across different demographic and regional contexts remains limited. The aim was to analyze sex- and age-specific temporal trends and projections of cybersexual victimization in Spain (2011–2022), disaggregated by sex, age group, autonomous community, and offense type, to identify where disparities emerge and persist (particularly from adolescence (<18) into midlife) while also examining gender and regional inequalities to provide evidence for prevention strategies that are both gender-sensitive and tailored to different developmental stages and territorial contexts. Spanish national police-reported data on seven cybersexual offenses (sexual abuse, sexual harassment, corruption of minors, grooming, exhibitionism, child sexual abuse images, and sexual provocation) from 2011 to 2022 were analyzed. Data were disaggregated by sex, age group, and regions. Mean rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated, independent-sample t-tests assessed sex differences, and linear regression models projected trends to 2035 for each age-sex group. Between 2011 and 2022, cybersexual crimes in Spain increased across most offense types, with grooming, child sexual abuse images, and contact offenses showing the steepest upward trends (all p < 0.001). Women consistently presented higher mean victimization rates than men in most offense types and age groups. Among those under 18, mean grooming rates were 2.55 for females versus 0.95 per 100,000 for males (p < 0.001), with significant differences also in corruption of minors (p < 0.01). In young adulthood (18–25 years), women showed higher rates in sexual harassment (p < 0.001) and sexual abuse (p < 0.01), while, in midlife (26–40 and 41–50 years), female predominance persisted for sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual provocation (all p < 0.05). Projections to 2035 indicate that sex gaps will remain or widen, particularly among females under 18 and in the 26–40 age group. The Balearic, Canary Islands, and Andalusia regions recorded the highest mean rates, whereas Galicia and Castilla-La Mancha reported the lowest. Cybersexual victimization in Spain disproportionately affects females from adolescence into midlife, with the most considerable disparities emerging before age 18 and persisting into adulthood. The combination of rapid offense growth, persistent sex-based disparities, and marked regional inequalities underscores the urgent need for gender-sensitive, developmentally targeted prevention strategies that address both early vulnerability and the reinforcement of risk in adult digital environments. Full article

Cyber-sexual crimes have become a growing concern in the digital age, as rapid technological progress continues to create new forms of violence and victimization. These offenses affect society unevenly, striking more intensely among minors, women, and other vulnerable groups. Their prevalence is shaped by structural inequalities, educational, economic, and technological, that condition both exposure to digital risks and the capacity for protection. Although international research has connected these disparities with digital victimization, evidence from Spain remains limited. The aim was to analyze the regional distribution of cyber-sexual crimes in Spain between 2011 and 2022 and to explore how education, income, and digital access relate to their incidence. To this end, official data from the Spanish Statistical Crime Portal (PEC) were combined with structural indicators provided by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics. The analysis encompassed reported cases of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, corruption of minors, online grooming, exhibitionism, pornography, and sexual provocation, using standardized incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants. Statistical methods included ANOVA with post hoc comparisons, correlation analyses, and K-means clustering to identify territorial patterns. Results revealed a sustained national increase in cyber-sexual crimes, with grooming and sexual harassment showing the most pronounced growth. The Balearic Islands (mean 4.9), Canary Islands (4.0), and Andalusia (3.9) registered the highest incidence rates, well above the national average (3.0). Educational disadvantages and low income were linked to sexual abuse and corruption of minors, whereas greater digital connectivity, expressed through higher mobile phone use, broadband access, and computer ownership, was strongly associated with grooming and other technology-facilitated offenses. Cluster analysis identified three distinct territorial profiles: high-incidence regions (Balearic and Canary Islands, Andalusia), intermediate (Murcia, Madrid, Navarre, Valencian Community), and low-incidence (Galicia, Catalonia, Castile and León, among others). In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that cyber-sexual crimes in Spain are unevenly distributed and closely linked to persistent structural vulnerabilities that shape digital exposure. These results underscore the need for territorially sensitive prevention strategies that reduce educational and economic inequalities, foster sexual and digital literacy, and promote safer online environments. Without addressing these underlying structural dimensions, public policies risk overlooking the conditions that sustain regional disparities and limit adequate protection against technology-driven sexual crimes. Full article

This study examines how gentrification reshapes neighborhood crime through two underexplored dimensions: third places and demolitions. Traditional research on gentrification and crime has often relied on broad socioeconomic indicators, such as property values or median income; however, these measures fail to capture the lived and place-based processes of neighborhood change. Drawing on place-in-neighborhood theory and routine activities theory, this research conceptualizes gentrification as a multidimensional transformation of social and physical space. Using data from Norfolk, Virginia (2015–2019), hierarchical linear models were employed to assess how the emergence of alcohol-licensed third places (e.g., bars, restaurants) and the issuance of demolition permits influenced community-level crime rates. Results indicate that third places decrease crimes against society; however, demolitions display mixed effects that are predicated on the offense type. By integrating spatial statistics and multilevel modeling, this study demonstrates the value of real-time municipal data for understanding neighborhood transformation. These results suggest that revitalization cannot be treated as a one-dimensional solution to urban crime. This work reframes gentrification as a contested process whose influence on crime depends on place, race, and neighborhood transformation. Full article

This qualitative study examines the impact of societal violence on the school climate in Arab society in Israel, focusing on teachers’ perspectives. Violence is conceptualized as an extreme, intentional form of aggression aimed at causing physical, psychological, or emotional harm. In the Israeli context, Arab society, constituting about 21% of the population, experiences disproportionately high rates of violent crime, reflecting historical marginalization, structural inequality, under-policing, and sociocultural transformations. Within schools, these societal dynamics are reported to negatively affect the learning environment, including diminished teacher motivation, concerns about teaching quality, heightened perceptions of unsafety, strained parent–school relationships, and increased parental aggression. Sixteen teachers participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that financial pressures, emphasis on personal honor, and erosion of family values are perceived as key drivers of violence in the community. Teachers also reported adverse effects on students’ emotional, social, and behavioral functioning, as well as academic performance. These findings underscore the urgent need for interventions that enhance school safety, provide trauma-informed teacher training, expand psychological services, and strengthen parental collaboration. Future research should include students’ and parents’ perspectives, examine geographically diverse schools, and explore cross-cultural comparisons to better understand the educational consequences of societal violence. Full article

Despite digital evidence (DE) now being a major component of most criminal investigations, very few studies have examined how police officers themselves evaluate and use DE over the course of an investigation. Drawing on in-depth interviews with N = 13 police officers from England and Wales, four themes are presented: (i) Sense-making and handling of digital devices and DE in investigations; (ii) The interpretation and reliability of DE; (iii) Strategic use of DE in investigative interviews with suspects, with a subtheme of Digital devices and DE in victim-centered interviews; and (iv) DE in the courtroom. While often seen as objective and infallible, DE is fragile, volatile, and legally complex, highlighting the cognitive and interpretive work that officers must do when dealing with DE. This is important because this work has a direct impact on how investigations proceed, including what is taken from crime scenes and how it is used in investigative interviews. Findings show how DE creates unique challenges and opportunities within investigative interviewing, extending research on strategic disclosure into the digital domain. Future directions include setting up better communication workflows to reduce epistemic drift and offering more DE interpretation training to help officers in an increasingly digital environment. Full article

Refugees are forced to flee their countries of origin due to factors beyond their control, and expect to find safety, peace, freedom, and have their basic needs met. Most engage in entrepreneurial activities to make a living. However, some refugees experience xenophobic attacks in host nations. Guided by the Social Identity Theory (SIT) to explore the phenomenon of xenophobic attacks against refugees in Atteridgeville, South Africa, this paper describes the factors contributing to xenophobic attacks against them. Participants were selected using the snowball sampling technique. Data were collected from 10 refugee entrepreneurs using one-on-one interviews guided by a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using thematic data analysis. The findings revealed the political and socio-economic factors behind the refugees’ exodus from their country of origin. In trying to better their lives, refugees encounter several bureaucratic challenges when formalising their asylum and refugee status in South Africa. The study established that xenophobic attacks on refugee entrepreneurs were influenced by numerous factors, including jealousy, hatred of foreigners, unemployment, and lack of job opportunities for young black South Africans. In addition, poverty and crime were identified as factors responsible for exacerbating xenophobic attacks. Based on the findings of this study, the social work profession has a pellucid and pivotal role to play in addressing the individual, group, community, systemic, institutional, and structural level factors responsible for xenophobic attacks on refugee entrepreneurs in Atteridgeville. The study recommends that further studies focus on designing multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral measures for addressing xenophobic attacks against refugee entrepreneurs. Full article

Young people under the care of child protection agencies are at increased risk of entering the criminal justice system. Residential youth organisations support young people who are unable to reside with their families or in foster care. Youth workers in these environments ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people in their care, consequently supporting the wellbeing of the overall community. This research explored the views and experiences of Queensland residential youth workers via a focus group interview. The data captured a thick description of service delivery practices. Constructivist Grounded Theory was used to conceptualise a theoretical framework based on the various empirical realities of participants. The findings highlight occasions where complex power dynamics had damaging consequences for youth workers and young people. Participants explored systemic constraints and structural inequalities, thus detailing the implications of top-down organisational structures on their service delivery, safety, and outcomes for young people. Participants were concerned about the implications of interrupted attachment and young people’s progression into crime. Practice recommendations centre around improving the disconnection between front-line realities and systemic hierarchies. Residential out-of-home care service delivery should focus on building community connection and belonging; mental, emotional and physical safety; collaborative care; and support. Full article

The systematic attacks against the civilian population in Gaza, including educational institutions, constitute war crimes that violate the right to education and affect not only children but also an entire culture’s ability to recover post-conflict and maintain its identity. This document review analysed the reports issued by Nations agencies to identify the types of violence that occur in educational contexts, the victims of such violence, the impact on the rights to and within education, and the educational measures implemented in response. A thematic analysis guided by Karma Nabulsi’s concept of “scholasticide”, Rita Segato’s “pedagogy of cruelty”, and Sara Ahmed’s “witness” was conducted. The findings reveal that the attacks on educational spaces can be interpreted as ideological strategies against the Palestinian culture due to their critical role in cultural resilience and the recovery of the Palestinian people. The reports highlight significant limitations in recognising education as a priority dimension within the framework of international humanitarian aid. Finally, the analysed documents show that children in Gaza experience feelings of abandonment based on the inaction of the international community to guarantee their right to be free from all kinds of violence. Full article