1. Crime victimization rates in the Orlando area, and the impact it has on students’ housing choices
while attending the University of Central Florida.
Kristin Bayer
April 23, 2015
2. 1
Abstract
The research conducted looks at crime victimization and how it impacts students’ housing
choices while attending the University of Central Florida. This research is important to students
and the university faculty, because it allows them to become aware of how crime actually
impacts students and their housing choices. The sample consisted of 415 current University of
Central Florida students. These students were asked to participate in an anonymous, online
survey. They were asked questions on their current living situation and previous victimization.
The findings of the survey were analyzed using SPSS. The research concluded that females are
more likely than males to research crime before selecting where to live; males feel safer walking
around University of Central Florida/Orlando; and upperclassmen are more likely to research
crime in comparison to lowerclassmen when looking for a place to live.
Keywords: crime, victimization, housing, college students, gender
3. 2
College campuses are generally viewed as safe places. However, after reviewing research
on the topic across several campuses in the United States, it seems as if that is not always the
case. These studies put victimization rates into perspective, which can be dissected into an
individual level for each university that researches these types of crimes. Crime on college
campuses has skyrocketed in the past several years (Federal Bureau of Investigation 2007).
Unnecessary victimization among college students has occurred due to this and it needs to be
examined more in depth. In November 2014, a crime occurred on Florida State University’s
campus that involved an individual walking into the Strozier library and shooting at students.
Another crime that occurred on a college campus that was fairly recent was in March 2012, when
the University of Central Florida had a close call with a school shooting in the Tower I dorms on
campus. Crime such as these may cause students to have heightened fears of becoming
victimized.
Crime victimization on college campuses is important to look into to try and find what
causes it to occur, and looking across several different studies as brought more information to the
table; not only the preventive measures, but it ensures students that the university they are
attending are aware of what goes on in regards to student victimization rates. Analyzing
victimization rates on college campuses can be broken down into four key elements, which are:
(1) the overall fear of crime victimization, (2) how gender affects the thought of fear of
victimization (3) how student housing has an effect on victimization and (4) students’ safety on
and off campus.
Literature Review
Fear of Victimization
The bigger a university is, the more likely crime is going to occur (Ong, Petrova and
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Spieler 2007). This is because the larger a campus becomes, the university becomes less able to
catch or control all crime that occurs (Ong et al. 2007; Sanders 2012). This can result in fear
among both male and female students. Sanders (2012) looked at security staff that was stationed
at university libraries. It was reported that out of 10 university libraries (that had between 10,000
and 30,000 students currently enrolled), that only six of these libraries’ had security staff at the
library during the hours of operation (Sanders 2012). This provides supporting evidence that the
larger a university is, the harder it is for the faculty and staff to control crime happening on
campus (Ong et al., 2007; Sanders 2012).
In a study conducted by Steinmetz and Austin (2013:526), it was found that 41.9% of
students were afraid of victimization on campus, even when only a small portion of these
respondents had previously been victimized. The sample size of this study consisted of 235
students at the University of Louisville and it was found that almost half of those students who
took part in their survey were afraid of victimization on campus during the day. More evidence
from the data states that these students were mostly afraid of theft/larceny (Steinmetz and Austin
2013:526). Tomisch, Gover and Jennings (2011) also looked at fear of victimization on campus,
and took note into whether students were more afraid of crime during the day versus crime
occurring at night.
Gender and Victimization on College Campus
Comparing males to females and their fear of victimization shows the correlation
between students’ safety concerns and fear of crime. Students want to know that their campus
overall is as safe as it can possible be. Tomisch et al. (2011) looked at different types of
victimizations, such as personal crime or property crime, and how it changed the amount of fear
between genders. The sample size of their study consisted of 997 students that were attending an
5. 4
urban university that is located in Colorado. A majority of male respondents knew more people
who were victim of a property crime. Property crime on campus leads towards student housing
and that plays a role in the student deciding which housing is safest and best suited for them.
Armstrong, Hamilton and Sweeney (2006) researched why sexual assaults among
students occur at such an alarming rate. In the research, their suggestion for this comes from
three levels. These levels are an individual level, interactional level, and an organizational level.
Each of these levels place students at risk for becoming a victim of sexual assault. Through
further investigation it was discovered that students tend to come together to go to parties on
campus and this can cause victimization among those who have attended. Moreover it appears
that “congregating people is not enough, as parties cannot be produced without resources that are
difficult for underage students to obtain. University policies that are explicitly gender-neutral —
such as the policing of alcohol use in residence halls — have gendered consequences”
(Armstrong et al. 2006:495). It just depends on the context of the party that occurs before a
students’ victimization. This is leading evidence that points towards “gender repeatedly
emerging as a strong influence on fear of crime in past research, the separate equations help to
understand different relationships for each gender” (Steinmetz and Austin 2013:520). Supporting
evidence provided by Fox, Nobles and Piquero (2009:26) shows that:
A growing body of research examines the relationship between fear of crime and sexual
assault. More specifically, the impact of sexual assault on fear has been identified as an
explanation of the fear-crime paradox in which women are victimized by crime less often
than men but are more fearful.
Looking further into reasons why college students are victimized, Turchik (2012) discovered that
male victimization is correlated with excessive alcohol use. One can hypothesize that this
6. 5
excessive alcohol use is often occurring at school parties, which ties into bringing students
together causing higher rates of victimization.
Researching gender differences and the perceptions of crime victimization is an
extremely important aspect in learning more about victimization. Tomisch et al. (2011) states
that it is important to look at gender differences in relation to crime victimization to reveal if
studies have failed to look at what difference occur between genders. While most people believe
females are more fearful of crime on campus, research shows that males are less likely to feel
safe on campus in comparison to females (Tomisch et al., 2011:193; Fox et al., 2009). In
comparison, female students who live off campus are less likely to want to have a longer
commute to and from campus (Zhou 2014). These reasons are because of the fear of
victimization while having to travel further to get onto campus, and then to try and get back to
their home. This can be especially true if a female student has classes early in the day while the
sun is still rising or late at night after the sun has set.
Student Housing and Victimization
83.4% of freshman and sophomore in college in the US prefer to live on campus (Turchik
and Hassija 2014). This can be taken into account where a high rate of victimization occurs
directly on college campuses. The study conducted by Turchik and Hassija (2014) helps provide
this evidence. In their research, they found that 72.8% of females currently attending college
have reported being victimized from the time they turned 16. This victimization is mostly due to
excessive alcohol and drug use (Turchik and Hassija 2014). In addition to victimization, this
number correlates with excessive alcohol use (Turchik 2012).
A study done at University of California Los Angeles by Zhou (2014) stated that 59% of
students live in off campus housing, either apartment rentals or university-affiliated housing.
7. 6
85% of students who attend the University of California Los Angeles live with one or more
roommates. This decreases fear of victimization while attending college; however, it does not
completely negate the fear. Living with roommates can help decrease fear of victimization while
living in student housing because students may feel like victimization is less likely to occur when
more than one person is living in an apartment or dorm.
Safety On and Off Campus
Campus safety should be a college’s number one priority. The Clery Act provides
students and their parents’ information about crime that occurs on campus. This includes crime
that occurs in dorm rooms. The Clery Act is important because it allows prospective students to
know about unwanted dangers that cannot be avoided. It also shows that the college of
attendance is aware of crime that occurs on their campus. If a student finds that one college has a
higher rate of student victimization they may choose to apply to other schools with lower rates of
victimization. Evidence supports that larger campuses in rural areas with lower crime rates
correlates with more of a demand for student affiliated and dorm housing (Ong et al. 2007). This
evidence can show that more students want to be where less crime occurs. The more students
that attend a university, the more housing is needed to allow them to attend that school (Ong et
al. 2007).
Moreover, looking at other evidence that includes different types of crimes committed on
and off campus in student housing shows that there is more fear for those students who live on
campus versus those who live off campus (Steinmetz and Austin 2013). Students who attend a
larger university in a rural area tend to be victim of more crime because these schools are usually
located in a college town (Ong et al., 2007; Tomisch et al., 2011). The fear of victimization then
8. 7
becomes greater for those students who are living on campus or in affiliated housing that is off
campus.
The past research gives a good foundation to learn about victimization and how it impacts
students’ behaviors in relation to their housing choices. The literature review discusses multiple
ways how crime impacts students, such as fear of victimization, how gender affects the fear of
victimization, how student housing and victimization correlate with one another, and a students
safety needs on and off campus. Also, looking at the Clery Act can show how far society has
come when show how much people care about crime that happens on and around universities
across the United States. The Clery Act has been anything but simple since its implementation in
1991, but it has also been very helpful when parents and students express concern for their safety
needs while attending a university. Including this in a review of past research can help expand on
the current research findings when looking at crime and how it impacts students.
Theoretical Orientation
Hindelang, Gottfredson and Garofalo’s lifestyles theory (1978) can explain crime from a
theoretical point of view. An individual’s lifestyle can put them at higher risk for victimization.
If an individual is often going out to bars late at night, the individual has a higher chance of
victimization, in comparison to someone who stays home after 9 o’clock at night. This theory is
applicable to the current research topic of students’ housing choices based on victimization.
Lifestyles theory places victimization causation on the individual who becomes victimized based
on their lifestyle (Hindelang et al. 1978).
Students’ housing choices can play a big role in this. If a student lives in an apartment
complex that has a history of high victimization rates, and they choose to live there, regardless of
the warning signs, they are more likely to be victimized because of their current housing. A
9. 8
housing complex becomes a part of the individuals lifestyle, and living in an apartment complex
(or other form of housing) that has high crime rates, will cause the individual to have a higher
possibility of becoming a victim to crime. Lifestyles theory places the reasoning for an
individual’s victimization solely on the individual, because of their choices.
The Current Study
A majority of past research has only looked at certain parts of campus, such as the dorms,
fraternity and sorority houses, and the libraries on campus. The current study looks further into
different types of housing, specifically: affiliated, dorms, non-affiliated, as well as if the student
lives at their parent house. This gives a different perspective to crime rates that occur around
college campuses, and how it impacts students’ housing choices. It will build further on the
research by looking at a variety of demographics such as the students’ year in college, sexual
orientation, age group, whether they are a first generation college student, etcetera.
ResearchQuestion
Do student crime victimization rates impact students’ decision on where to live while at the
University of Central Florida?
Hypotheses
Hypothesis 1: Women are more likely than men to research crime rates before choosing a
place to live.
Hypothesis 2: More upperclassmen will choose where they want to live while attending
the University of Central Florida based on recent crimes rates in the Orlando area in
comparison to lowerclassmen.
Hypothesis 3: Men feel safer walking around the University of Central Florida/Orlando in
comparison to women.
10. 9
Methods/Sample
To conduct my research, I collected data via the internet using the online surveying
program, Qualtrics. I collected data from 415 students who are currently attending the University
of Central Florida. In order for me to collect the 415 surveys I used social media to advertise my
survey, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Tumblr. I also sent the link to the survey though
Webcourses/CANVAS pages for classes in which I was enrolled. After the data were collected, it
was downloaded into SPSS to allow for statistical analysis
Measurements
Independent variables. Students’ responses to survey questions were analyzed based on
their gender. Respondents were given two options to select from, either male or female. Other
independent variables that were considered include the students’ year in college, which ranged
from freshman (0-29 credits), sophomore (30-59 credits), junior (60-89 credits), seniors (90-120
credits) and graduate students (beyond 120 credits).
Dependent variables. The dependent variables that were analyzed include the
respondents choosing where to live in general and based on crime, as well as how students feel
about walking around Orlando and the University of Central Florida main campus. To analyze
where the respondent chose to live they answered a yes-no question relating to housing
situations. If they selected a dorm or affiliated housing, the respondent was able to fill in what
dorm or affiliated housing complex they are currently residing in. To analyze if the respondent
chose their housing based on crime rates in the area, they were asked if they selected this housing
to avoid crime, as well as what type of crime they were attempting to avoid, which was a
multiple selection answer. To analyze how respondents feel about walking around the University
of Central Florida/Orlando, they were asked to respond to two, 7-point likert scales, ranging
11. 10
from extremely safe to extremely unsafe. The likert scale asked how safe they feel in popular
spots on campus. The two likert scales asked the same questions, except one asked about how
they feel during the day, while the other asked how they feel at night. To see how students feel
about traveling around Orlando, they were asked to respond to two, 7-point bipolar scale ranging
from extremely unsafe to extremely safe. These bipolar scales also had one question relating to
traveling around during the day, compared to at night.
Results
To begin analysis, frequencies were run for the demographic questions. These
demographics include the respondents’ age, gender, year in college, and the type of housing the
students are currently living in (see Table 1).
Table 1. Demographics
n Mean
Age* 412 21.58
Gender Percentage
Male 115 27.7
Female 300 72.1
Year in College
Freshman (0-29 credits) 29 7.0
Sophomore (30-59 credits) 93 22.4
Junior (60-89 credits) 123 29.6
Senior (90-120 credits) 133 32
Graduate (more than 120 credits) 37 8.9
Current Housing Type
Dorm 100 24.1
Affiliated Housing 82 26
Parents House 60 25.8
Non-Affiliated Housing 147 85
*Note: Respondentsagesranged from 18 to 46.
12. 11
The demographic questions give a good overview of the type of population sample (n = 415) that
responded to the anonymous online survey. The demographics are also the foundation for each
of the hypotheses that were tested. To test each of the hypotheses, different types of bivariate
analyses were ran. The first bivariate analysis that was ran to test the first hypothesis was a
crosstabulation. Running a crosstabulation allowed an analysis to see whether women are more
likely than men to research crime rates in the area before they choose where they want to live.
Table 2 shows that females are more likely than males to research crime rates in the Orlando
area, however the difference is not statistically significant (x2 = .726, p = n.s). Females are also
more likely to research crime in particular housing options before selecting a place to live in
comparison to males (x2 = 8.567, p < .05).
Table 2. Cross-Tabulation on Students' Choosing Housing Based on Crime
Male Female
Crime Rates in Orlando*
Yes 26.1 30.3
No 73.9 69.7
*x2 = .726, p = n.s
Crime Rates in Particular Housing**
Yes 33 49
No 67 51
**x2 = 8.567, p < .05
To test the second hypothesis a crosstabulation was run to examine if a higher amount of
upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) choose where they want to live based on recent crime rates
in the area in comparison to lowerclassmen (freshman and sophomores). 32.8% of
upperclassmen responded that they choose where they want to live based on crime, while only
19.7% of lowerclassmen do (x2 = 6.991, p < .05).
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Table 3. Cross-Tabulation: Lowervs. Upper Classmen Choosing Housing Based on Crime*
Lowerclassmen
(Freshman & Sophomore)
Upperclassmen (Junior & Senior)
Yes 19.7 32.8
No 80.3 67.2
*x2 = 6.991, p < .05
The final hypothesis stated that men feel safer walking around the University of Central
Florida/Orlando in comparison to women. To test this, two t-tests were run to test the hypothesis.
Table 4 shows both of the t-tests. While both t-tests show how males and female feel about their
safety, one asks specifically about how safe they feel during the day, while the other asks how
safe they feel at night. The findings of the first t-test show that men feel safer during the day, in
comparison to women. The findings of the second t-test show that men feel safer at night, in
comparison to women (x2 = 6.991, p < .05).
Table 4. Independent Sample T-Test Gender Differencesin Safety During the Day vs.Night
Measure* Mean Std. Deviation t df Sig.
Measure of Safety During the Day
Male 4.8772 .92306 4.011 410 .000
Female 4.4497 .98430
Measure of Safety at Night
Male 3.5856 1.07423 4.511 398 .000
Female 2.9792 1.24983
*Note: Measured on a scale from 1-6; 1=Extremely Unsafe; 2=Very Unsafe; 3=Unsafe; 4=Safe; 5=Very Safe;
6=Extremely Safe.
Discussion
The findings of this research were as hypothesized. Females and upperclassmen are more
likely than males and lowerclassmen to research crime before selecting a place to live, and males
14. 13
feel safer walking around the University of Central Florida/Orlando in comparison to females.
Drawing on the theoretical argument of lifestyles theory (Hindelang et al. 1978) can relate to
each hypothesis in a unique way. Females are potentially more aware that they are easy targets
for crime; therefore they avoid living in certain housing complexes or areas that they know are at
a predisposition to crime.
Upperclassmen are more likely to be aware of crime that occurs in the University of
Central Florida/Orlando area possibly because they have been in the University of Central
Florida/Orlando area far longer than lowerclassmen have. They are generally in their early/late
twenties in comparison to late teens, so they may see crime as being an issue, while
lowerclassmen may not. This assumption that upperclassmen are more mature due to age, in
comparison to lowerclassmen, can also be drawn from lifestyles theory (Hindelang et al. 1978).
Lowerclassmen are usually just coming right out of high school and are more concerned with
making new friends or partying. They are not usually concerned with crime because they usually
live on campus, and they might not think that crime on campus actually occurs. Lifestyles theory
assumes that victimization is brought upon an individual, because of their actions (Hindelang et
al. 1978). If lowerclassmen are not aware of crime, they are more likely to be victimized.
As for males feeling safer walking around University of Central Florida/Orlando, they are
more likely to be able to defend themselves if something were to ever occur, whether that be
during the day or at night. As stated before, females may be more aware that potential
victimization is more likely to occur to them when they are walking by themselves. Therefore,
lifestyles theory (Hindelang et al. 1978) can be drawn from this, because both genders (male and
female) are aware of what their actions may bring upon themselves. Being more cautious can, in
15. 14
turn, prevent victimization because the individuals are making smarter choices to try and avoid
victimization.
Conclusion
Theoretical Implications
Theoretical implications of the current study that surrounds lifestyles theory concludes
that if an individual researches their housing before electing to live in the certain area, they are
less likely to become a victim of crime, because they would not knowingly want to live in an
area with a high crime rate. The same goes for living in a certain housing complex. An individual
who researches their housing options are less likely to become a victim of crime if they choose
the safer housing complex to live in. The individual being aware of crime puts them at an
advantage because they will most likely make the safer choice to live in the complex with less
crime; therefore they are less likely to face victimization. As stated before, lifestyles theory
places the reasoning for an individual’s victimization solely on the individual. So, if an
individual is able to avoid crime by becoming more aware of crime that occurs around them, the
less likely they will fall victim to it.
Limitations
With all research that is conducted, there are limitations that follow. Two important
limitations for the current study include a limited amount of time to collect the sample size, and
more women responded to the survey. The time frame to collect the sample size was only two
months. If a longer time frame were possible, more students would have been able to respond to
the survey, which could have not only strengthened the sample size, but it also could have helped
getting a more equal sample population of both men and women.
16. 15
Another limitation for the current study includes that the survey was limited to current
University of Central Florida students only. If the survey had been opened to other surrounding
colleges in the Central Florida area, such as Valencia College and Seminole State College, then
the outcomes of the hypotheses may have differed, and more students would have had the
opportunity to respond to the survey, which would have increased the sample size. Limiting the
survey to current University of Central Florida students only creates a bias response to how
students feel about crime and how it impacts their housing options. Many students who attend
other colleges also live in similar housing, with the exception of on-campus dormitories.
The final limitation of the current study was the length of the survey. The survey had a lot
of unnecessary questions, that made the respondents bored, which resulted in them leaving
halfway through the survey. If the questions were straight-to-the-point, more respondents
probably would have finished the survey.
Future Research
This is just the beginning of research on crime victimization and the impact it has on
college students’ housing choices. Crime on college campuses is a very serious matter, and needs
to be explored further to fully understand why is occurs, and how it effects not only students but
also faculty, and staff as well. Future research should look at specific housing locations on
campuses, as well as off-campus. Qualitative research would also be beneficial, because it would
allow for the respondents to express their opinions and their concerns in a greater depth than
possible in quantitative research. Qualitative research is more tedious, however, the outcomes
can be interpreted into the data. It would allow of a better understanding of crimes the
respondents are concerned of, and what housing complexes or areas, they tried to avoid. In turn,
it would allow the housing community to take a better look at what they can do to protect these
17. 16
students from unnecessary victimization, making the University of Central Florida/Orlando area
a safer place.
18. 17
References
Armstrong, Elizabeth A., Laura Hamilton, and Brian Sweeney. 2006. “Sexual Assault on
Campus: A Multilevel, Integrative Approach to Party Rape.” Social Problems 53(4):483-
499.
Federal Bureau of Investigation. 2007. “Crime in Schools and Colleges: A Study of Offenders
and Arrestees Reported via National Incident-Based Reporting System Data.” Retrieved
Nov. 25, 2014. (http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/nibrs/crime-in-schools-and-
colleges).
Fox, Kathleen A., Matt R. Nobles, and Alex R. Piquero. 2009. “Gender, Crime Victimization
and Fear of Crime.” Security Journal 22(1):24-39.
Gregory, Dennis E. and Steven M. Janosik. 2006. “The Views of Senior Residence Life and
Housing Administrators on the Clery Act and Campus Safety.” Journal of College and
University Student Housing 34(1):50-57.
Hindelang, Michael J., Michael R. Gottfredson, and James Garofalo. 1978. Victims of Personal
Crime: An Empirical Foundation for a Theory of Personal Victimization. Cambridge,
MA: Ballinger.
Ong, Seow-Eng, Milena Petrova, and Andrew C. Spieler. 2007. “Demand for University Student
Housing: An Empirical Analysis.” Journal of Housing Research 22(2):141-164.
Sanders, Mark. 2012. “Creating a Safe Haven for University Students: How Are We Doing?”
Journal of Access Services 9(4):200-211.
Steinmetz, Nancy M., and D. Mark Austin. 2013. “Fear of Criminal Victimization on a College
Campus: A Visual and Survey Analysis of Location and Demographic Factors. Southern
Criminal Justice Association 39: 511-537.
19. 18
Tomisch, Elizabeth A., Angela R. Gover, and Wesley G. Jennings. 2011. “Examining the Role of
Gender in the Prevalence of Campus Victimization, Perceptions of Fear and Risk of
Crime, and the Use of Constrained Behaviors Among College Students Attending a
Large Urban University.” Journal of Criminal Justice Education 22(2): 181-202.
Turchik, Jessica A. 2012. “Sexual Victimization Among Male College Students: Assault
Severity, Sexual Functioning, and Health Risk Behaviors.” Psychology of Men &
Masculinity 13(3):243-255.
Turchik, Jessica A., and Christina M. Hassija. 2014. “Female Sexual Victimization Among
College Students: Assault Severity, Health Risk Behaviors, and Sexual Functioning.”
Journal of Interpersonal Violence 29(13):2439-2457.
Zhou, Jiangping. 2014. “From Better Understandings to Proactive Actions: Housing Location
and Commuting Mode Choices Among University Students.” Journal of Transport
Policy 33:166-175.
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Appendix
Do student crime victimization rates impact students’ decision on where to live while at UCF?
Explanation of Research
Title of Project: Students’ housing choices based on crime rates.
Principal Investigator: Amy Donley, PhD
Other Investigators: Kristin Bayer
You are being invited to take part in a research study. Whether you take part is up to you.
The purpose of this project is to understand how students select their housing choices while
attending college. I hope to see that a majority of students choose their housing based on crime.
This will show that students are aware of crime that occurs on and off campus.
You are being asked to take an online survey.
The participants will be asked to complete an anonymous survey questionnaire. The survey is
voluntary and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
You must be 18 years or older to take this survey.
Study contact for questions about the study or to report a problem: If you have questions, concerns,
or complaints please contact Kristin Bayer,Undergraduate Student, Department of Sociology, College of
Sciences, at kristin.bayer@knights.ucf.edu or Dr. Amy Donley, PI,Department of Sociology at (407)
823-1357 or by email at amy.donley@ucf.edu.
IRB contact about your rights in the study or to report a complaint: Research at the University of
Central Florida involving human participants is carried out under the oversight of the Institutional Review
Board (UCF IRB). This research has been reviewed and approved by the IRB. For information about the
rights of people who take part in research,please contact: Institutional Review Board, University of
Central Florida, Office of Research & Commercialization, 12201 Research Parkway,Suite 501, Orlando,
FL 32826-3246 or by telephone at (407) 823-2901.
I have read and understood the above consent form and desire of my own free will to participate in this
study.
Yes (1)
No (2)
If No Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Survey
Are you over the age of 18?
Yes (1)
No (2)
If No Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Survey
Are you currently enrolled in classes at the University of CentralFlorida?
Yes (1)
No (2)
If No Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Survey
The following questions will ask you about your current living situation.
Do you live on campus?
Yes (1)
No (2)
If No Is Selected, Then Skip To Do you live in affiliated housing?
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Answer If Do you live on campus? Yes Is Selected
Which dorm do you live in?
If Which dorm do you live in? Is Not Empty, Then Skip To End of Block
Do you live in affiliated housing?
Yes (1)
No (2)
If No Is Selected, Then Skip To Do you live with your parents?
Answer If Do you live in affiliated housing? Yes Is Selected
Which affiliated housing complex do you live in?
If If you selected yes,which ... Is Not Empty, Then Skip To End of Block
Do you live with your parents?
Yes (1)
No (2)
If No Is Selected, Then Skip To If no, do you live in non-affiliated ...If Yes Is Selected, Then Skip To
End of Block
Do you live in non-affiliated housing?
Yes (1)
No (2)
If No Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Block
Answer If Do you live in non-affiliated housing? Yes Is Selected
What kind of non-affiliated housing do you live in?
Apartment (1)
House (2)
Other: (3) ____________________
If Apartment Is Selected, Then Skip To End of Block If Other: Is Not Empty, Then Skip To End of Block
Answer If What kind of non-affiliated housing do you live in? House Is Selected
Do you rent or own the house?
Rent (1)
Own (2)
The following questions will give you an opportunity to tell us about your safety experiences on and off
campus. Please answer as openly and honestly.
22. 21
How many hours a week do you spend on campus?
______ Going to class (1)
______ Studying (2)
______ Eating (3)
______ Hanging with friends (4)
______ Going to parties (5)
______ Playing a sport (6)
______ Teaching or assisting a class (7)
______ Volunteering (8)
______ Doing other extracurricular activities (9)
How safe do you feelwalking around campus during the day?
Extremely
Safe (1)
Very
Safe (2)
Safe (3) Unsafe
(4)
Very
Unsafe
(5)
Extremely
Unsafe (6)
I don't go
to this
location
(7)
Inside the John T.
Washington
Center/Breezeway
(1)
Inside the John C.
Hitt Library (2)
Inside the UCF
Recreation and
Wellness Center
(3)
Lake Claire (4)
Knights Plaza (5)
Brighthouse
Stadium (6)
Memory Mall (7)
Garage A (8)
Garage B (9)
Garage C (10)
Garage D (11)
Garage H (12)
Garage I (13)
Greek Row (14)
Student Union
(15)
The Nature Trails
(16)
23. 22
How safe do you feelwalking around campus at night?
Extremely
Safe (1)
Very
Safe (2)
Safe (3) Unsafe
(4)
Very
Unsafe
(5)
Extremely
Unsafe (6)
I don't go
to this
location
(7)
Inside the John T.
Washington
Center/Breezeway
(1)
Inside the John C.
Hitt Library (2)
Inside the UCF
Recreation and
Wellness Center
(3)
Lake Claire (4)
Knights Plaza (5)
Brighthouse
Stadium (6)
Memory Mall (7)
Garage A (8)
Garage B (9)
Garage C (10)
Garage D (11)
Garage H (12)
Garage I (13)
Greek Row (14)
Student Union
(15)
The Nature Trails
(16)
How safe do you feeltraveling around Orlando during the day?
1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)
Extremely
Safe:
Extremely
Unsafe (1)
24. 23
How safe do you feeltraveling around Orlando at night?
1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)
Extremely
Safe:
Extremely
Unsafe (1)
How safe do you feelthe University of Central Florida's campus is?
1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)
Extremely
Safe:
Extremely
Unsafe (1)
Answer If Do you live on campus? Yes Is Selected
How safe do you feelyour dorm is?
1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)
Extremely
Safe:
Extremely
Unsafe (1)
Answer If Do you live in affiliated housing? Yes Is Selected
How safe do you feelyour affiliated housing is?
1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)
Extremely
Safe:
Extremely
Unsafe (1)
Answer If Do you live with your parents? Yes Is Selected
How safe do you feelyour parents' house is?
1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)
Extremely
Safe:
Extremely
Unsafe (1)
25. 24
Answer If What kind of non-affiliated housing do you live in? Apartment Is Selected
How safe do you feelyour apartment is?
1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)
Extremely
Safe:
Extremely
Unsafe (1)
Answer If What kind of non-affiliated housing do you live in? House Is Selected
How safe do you feelyour house is?
1 (1) 2 (2) 3 (3) 4 (4) 5 (5) 6 (6) 7 (7)
Extremely
Safe:
Extremely
Unsafe (1)
How likely are you going to move within the next year?
Very Unlikely (1)
Unlikely (2)
Somewhat Unlikely (3)
Undecided (4)
Somewhat Likely (5)
Likely (6)
Very Likely (7)
Answer If Do you live on campus? Yes Is Selected
Do you feel safer living on campus compared to if you were to have lived off campus?
Yes (1)
No (2)
Answer If Do you live on campus? Yes Is Selected
Did you choose to live on campus to avoid crime that occurs off campus?
Yes (1)
No (2)
Answer If Did you choose to live on campus to avoid crime that occurs off campus? Yes Is Selected
What type of crime were you trying to avoid? Please select all that apply.
Aggravated Assault (1)
Sexual Assault (2)
Robbery (3)
Burglary (4)
Motor Vehicle Theft (5)
Property Vandalism (6)
Not Sure (7)
Other: (8) ____________________
26. 25
Answer If Do you live in affiliated housing? Yes Is Selected Or Do you live in non-affiliated housing?
Yes Is Selected Or Do you live with your parents? Yes Is Selected
Why did you choose to live off campus? Please select all that apply.
Cheaper (1)
Closer to work (2)
Closer to downtown (3)
To avoid crime on campus (4)
To avoid campus traffic (5)
Living with friends (6)
I have pets (7)
Needed a change of scenery (8)
Other: (9) ____________________
The following questions will ask you about your knowledge of crime, as well as your past victimization
experiences. Please answer openly and honestly.
Are you aware of recent crimes that have occurred in the Orlando area?
Yes (1)
No (2)
Do you watch the news?
Yes (1)
No (2)
Answer If Do you watch the news? No Is Selected
How do you get your information about current events?
Internet (1)
Newspaper (2)
Hearsay (3)
All of the above (4)
Other: (5) ____________________
Did you choose your housing choice based on crime rates in the Orlando area?
Yes (1)
No (2)
Did you choose your housing based on crime that occurs in particular housing options?
Yes (1)
No (2)
27. 26
Please select the answer that applies to you the most.
Always (1) Most of the
Time (2)
Sometimes (3) Rarely (4) Never (5)
I look over my
shoulder: (1)
I am aware of
my
surroundings:
(2)
I carry pepper
spray: (3)
I am afraid of
victimization:
(4)
I am afraid of
people I pass
by when
walking: (5)
I lock my
doors as soon
as I enter my
car: (6)
I avoid going
out at night:
(7)
I travel by
myself: (8)
I trust new
people I meet:
(9)
Please answer as openly and honestly as possible to the following statements:
On campus Off campus
Yes (1) No (2) Yes (3) No (4)
You have been
victimized. (1)
You know
someone who has
been victimized
(2)
You have heard of
someone being
victimized. (3)
28. 27
Answer If Please answer as openly and honestly as possible to the following statements: You have been
victimized. - On campus - Yes Is Selected Or Please answer as openly and honestly as possible to the
following statements:You have been victimized. - Off campus - Yes Is Selected
Are you still living in the same place when you were victimized?
Yes (1)
No (2)
Answer If Are you still living in the same place when you were victimized? Yes Is Selected
Are you planning on moving because of your victimization?
Yes (1)
No (2)
Please answer the following question as honestly as possible.
______ How many times have you been victimized? (1)
Answer If Please answer the following question as honestly as possible. How many times have you been
victimized? Is Does Not Contain 0
What kind of victimization were you subject to? Please select all that apply.
Aggravated Assault (1)
Sexual Assault (2)
Robbery (3)
Burglary (4)
Motor Vehicle Theft (5)
Property Vandalism (6)
Domestic Violence/IPV (7)
Fraud (8)
Other: (9) ____________________
What is your racial/ethnic background?
White/Caucasian Hispanic or Non-Hispanic (1)
Black/African American (2)
Latin/Hispanic (3)
Asian/Pacific Islander (4)
Native American/American Indian (5)
Biracial (6)
Multiracial (7)
Other: (8) ____________________
Answer If What is your racial/ethnic background? White/Caucasian Is Selected
Would you consider yourself:
White; Non-Hispanic (1)
White; Hispanic (2)
What is your age?
What is your gender?
Male (1)
Female (2)
29. 28
What is your sexual orientation?
Heterosexual(1)
Homosexual (2)
Bisexual (3)
Other: (4) ____________________
What is your current class standing?
Freshman 0-30 credits (1)
Sophomore 31-59 credits (2)
Junior 60-89 credits (3)
Senior 90-120 credits (4)
Graduate Student more than 120 credits (5)
What is your major?
Are you a first generation college student?
Yes (1)
No (2)
If you or someone you know has been a victim of crime, violence, or abuse you can get help
and resources from Victim Services. Please contact UCF's Victim Services 24/7 hotline at (407) 832-1200
to speak with an advocate.
