Question

this is for book: Women, Gender, and Crime: A Text/Reader (SAGE Text/Reader Series in Criminology and Criminal Justice

In Section II of the text, the following scenario is presented: "Imagine yourself walking across a parking lot toward your car. It's late and the parking lot is poorly lit. You are alone. Standing near your car is a man who is watching you. Are you afraid?" The text mentions that men and women will respond differently to that question. Why is that the case, and what are the effects (policy implications) of that difference?

Answer 1

It is a fear of victimization topic which discusses the behavior of women and men when they see each other in a parking lot which is poorly lit. There is a distortion and change in a way the view of criminal is portrayed in the society as the evidence is less with no one present on-spot at the scene of crime. It can only be heard in the news of television or radio recordings. This question of a man and women meeting each other in a dimly lit parking lot was asked in a statistical survey to a group of people consisting of males and females. It was revealed that women are more prone to fear among in this situation as it was revealed after women raised their hands after this question was asked. Women even explained the risk of conduction of criminal activities in poorly lit spaces at night or side alleys. It is an inherent fear of victimization which is more prevalent in women as compared to men in society. Girls are taught about these experiences from the parents about the growing incidences of crime in the city like rape victimization. Films mostly portray that rape of a female is caused by an unknown stranger but in reality this crime is committed by a person who is known to the girl. It hurts feelings of self-esteem and sentiments present in the person. It can be decreased by providing increased vigilance by the police forces with constant strong patroling by the police. There is a routine activists theory which believes that men are more prone to vulnerability and victimization as compared to males. Scharwtz, Tait and Alvi have conducted experiments which demonstrate that women who are prone to drinking and alcohol are more vulnerable to sexual offenses committed by male colleagues in dark areas and regions of the city without light. Lifestyle predicts that daily activities of a person depicts the nature of offence committed by the person in the society. The criminal justice system depends upon the availability of valid proofs and evidences available on the scene of crime. There are judicial policies which declare and provide judgement on the criminal case like sexual assault or rape depending upon the evidence and eye witness view present at the scene of crime.