Direct and Indirect Victims of Urban Crime in the Historic Centre of Porto (Portugal): Prevalence, Dynamics and Associated Variables

Abstract

This study aims to quantify and characterize direct and indirect victimization and to analyse the associations between victimization and sociodemographic, criminal and environmental, social control and community variables in the urban area of the Historic Centre of Porto (hcp), Portugal. A total of 554 participants answered the “Diagnosis of Local Security Questionnaire” through face-to-face inquiry. The overall prevalence of victimization was 38.11%, with 17.7% being direct victims and 29.0% indirect victims. The most reported crimes were robbery, theft and offenses to physical integrity, which occurred mainly at night, on the street. The majority of victims sought police support, but satisfaction level with the authorities was low. Sociodemographic, criminal and environmental variables were associated with (in)direct victimization.