Parents have stronger fears for their children than for themselves. The media is not necessarily as influential as previously thought in increasing fear of crime. Most people use the media selectively, filtering out the information they think is realistic and accurate from what is sensationalist or fantasy. Most people have a general fear about 'unpredictable strangers', especially in public places at night. Official crime statistics do not reflect the constant low level incivilities and incidents of harassment which, over time, contribute to a person's sense of vulnerability and anxiety about becoming a victim of crime.
People develop individual strategies for dealing with fear and risk of victimisation.
For example, they secure their homes and in public they remain constantly aware, monitoring their environment and the people in it.