Revisiting the effects of self-protective behaviors on the risk of injury in assaults against women

Violence Vict. 2014;29(1):171-92. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-12-00126.

Abstract

Using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS; 1992-2005), we closely examined the effects of victims' self-protective actions on the risk of injury among female nonsexual assault victims. Building on previous research, we focused on 3 important methodological and conceptual issues: (a) gradational coding of the 16 different NCVS self-protective actions, (b) separate analyses of serious injuries, and (c) the victim-offender relationship. Our analyses demonstrated that the risk of injury was strongly and positively associated with the degree of forcefulness of self-protective actions. Furthermore, the likelihood of victim injury was inversely related to the relational distance between the victim and the offender.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aggression*
  • Crime Victims / classification
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data*
  • Defense Mechanisms*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Male
  • Republic of Korea
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Violence / classification
  • Violence / prevention & control
  • Violence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Women's Health*
  • Wounds and Injuries / classification
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Wounds and Injuries / prevention & control