Citation

Nellis AM. J. Contemp. Crim. Justice 2009; 25(3): 322-340.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1043986209335012

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Researchers have long been curious about the mismatch between women's fear of crime and their objective risk of victimization. The present research, which examines fear of terrorism, provides a unique opportunity to explore gender differences in reactions to a specific type of violent victimization, terrorism. The article analyzes data collected from a telephone survey of 532 inhabitants from New York and Washington on the topic of reactions to terrorism-related information. Analysis of these data finds that women are more fearful, engage in more avoidance behaviors, and are more likely to seek information in response to terrorism-related information. Moreover, women differ from men in predictors of their terrorism fears as well as engagement in terrorism-related avoidance and information-seeking behaviors. Possible explanations for these results are discussed.