They contain a wealth of ideas for preventing violence against women and for enhancing programs and services. Fear of Crime Fear of Crime examines the ways Australians perceive and manage fear, especially when it relates to becoming a victim of crime. The report's findings are useful for developing practical strategies for managing and reducing fear of crime. Major Findings People's fear of crime varies depending on their personal experience, where they are, the time of day or night and who else is around. Young women frequently experience sexual harassment and are fearful of sexual assault.
Young men are most fearful of physical assault from particular sub-groups of other young men.
Many of them still go out at night and use public transport. Women learn from an early age about the risks of sexual assault and harassment and are most afraid of these crimes. This fear is rational in the context of lifetime experiences of sexual harassment. Most people have a general fear about 'unpredictable strangers', especially 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.