Happiness and victimization : an empirical study for Switzerland

This paper explores if, and to what extent, crime affects happiness, using data from the Swiss Crime Survey 2011. Given the lack of research on the relationship between victimization and quality of life, it attempts to close an important gap in the existing literature. Results show negative effects on life satisfaction of theft, attempted burglary and consumer fraud, as well as of crimes against the person. Contrary to expectations, detrimental effects on quality of life do not decline consistently over time

Fear of crime, disorder, and quality of life

Fear of crime has been the focus of scientific enquiry for more than fifty years. In this time a number of studies have explored the impact of fear of crime and neighbourhood disorder on an individual’s quality of life. The present chapter describes what we know about the prevalence of fear of crime and disorder in neighbourhoods and public spaces. In particular, we focus on how fear of crime has been defined and operationalized in prior studies, what models are used to understand fear of crime, and the impacts of fear on both individuals and society more broadly. Moreover, we describe some of the recent developments in capturing fear of crime events as they occur in the here and now, and how this innovative work using mobile technologies may contribute new knowledge to understanding the prevalence of crime fear and disorder within the proximate environment. Finally, we discuss “what works” in response to reducing fear of crime in neighbourhoods and public spaces, and how such interventions may improve overall quality of life