Cortney A. Franklin

Predicting Fear of Crime Considering Differences Across Gender

The current research tests the vulnerability, disorder, and social integration models to determine their relative predictive capacity across separate female and male citizen samples on fear of crime. Although previous literature typically includes gender as a control variable, the present analysis goes beyond this to determine whether the models function differently according to gender. Findings indicate that there are in fact significant differences in predictors of female and male fear of crime. Increased age reduces fear for women but not men, and increased income leads to higher levels of fear for men but lower levels for women. Theoretical implications and future research directions are discussed.

SEXUAL ASSAULT ON THE COLLEGE CAMPUS Fraternity Affiliation, Male Peer Support, and Low Self-Control

Research on college sexual assault has focused on offender behavior to understand why men perpetrate sexual violence. Dominant theories have incorporated forms of male peer support, paying particular attention to the impact of rape-supportive social relationships on woman abuse. In contrast, Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime proposes that low self-control predicts crime and other related life outcomes—including the kinds of antisocial peer relationships that the male peer support model contends causes sexual violence. The exclusion of measures of self-control on sexual assault may result in a misspecified peer support model. Accordingly, the current research empirically tests Schwartz and DeKeseredy’s male peer support model and examines the role of self-control in the larger male peer support model of sexual assault. Implications for theory and research are discussed.

An Investigation of the Relationship between Self-Control and Alcohol-Induced Sexual Assault Victimization

Recently, scholars have begun to examine victim self-control as a correlate of vulnerability to general victimization. The scope of victimization contained among the studies testing this relationship is limited. More specifically, researchers have only focused on general victimization or personal/property victimization, with limited attention to violence against women, and have neglected to consider sexual assault victimization. Claims that self-control is applicable as a universal correlate of victimization necessitate additional research on the role of self-control in understanding sexual assault. Using a sample of 221 university women, the current analysis models the relationship between sexual victimization, opportunity structures, routine activity/lifestyle theory measures, and self-control. Results indicate that low self-control is significantly correlated with increased odds of alcohol-induced sexual assault victimization despite the inclusion of other theoretically relevant variables. Implications for research, theory, and prevention policy are discussed.

Male Peer Support and the Police Culture

Abstract Research has established the historical underrepresentation of women in policing and the oppression these women have faced in terms of occupational opportunities and social encounters with male police peers. Theories attempting to explain this dynamic fail to posit a direct link between a hypermasculine social structure and the adverse experiences of female police officers. Using Schwartz and DeKeseredys (1997) male peer support model, this analysis seeks to explain the ways in which the police subculture functions to oppress women in policing. This is accomplished by reviewing the literature on police subcultures and women in policing and situating these findings within Schwartz and DeKeseredys (1997) theoretical framework. Limitations of the theory are discussed and future research questions are posed.

Assessing the Effect of Routine Activity Theory and Self-Control on Property, Personal, and Sexual Assault Victimization:

This study used a sample of 2,230 female university students to assess the applicability of routine activity theory and self-control on property, personal, and sexual assault victimization. Results indicate that (a) both self-control deficits and participation in drug sale behavior were significantly correlated with increased property, personal, and sexual assault victimization; (b) increased partying and shopping frequency and off-campus housing significantly and substantively correlated with increased property victimization; (c) off-campus housing was correlated with increased personal victimization; and (d) increased number of days spent on campus and increased frequency of partying significantly increased sexual assault victimization, net of controls. Future directions for the integration of feminist theory and strategies for crime prevention are discussed.

The Intergenerational Transmission of Intimate Partner Violence: Differentiating Correlates in a Random Community Sample

The current study used a random sample of 502 men and women to investigate the intergenerational transmission of violence and assess the impact of family-of-origin violence on later adult intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization while controlling for a host of theoretically-relevant factors and demographic characteristics. Six multivariate logistic regression analyses were modeled to identify differential correlates depending upon type of violence perpetration and victimization. Findings indicated a significant relationship between family-of-origin violence and psychological perpetration and victimization. The acceptance of violence in relationships significantly correlated with physical violence perpetration. Finally, being married, older, and employed protected against several forms of interpersonal violence. Policy implications are discussed.

Physical punishment and childhood aggression: the role of gender and gene–environment interplay

A large body of research has linked spanking with a range of adverse outcomes in children, including aggression, psychopathology, and criminal involvement. Despite evidence concerning the association of spanking with antisocial behavior, not all children who are spanked develop antisocial traits. Given the heterogeneous effects of spanking on behavior, it is possible that a third variable may condition the influence of corporal punishment on child development. We test this possibility using data drawn from a nationally representative dataset of twin siblings. Our findings suggest that genetic risk factors condition the effects of spanking on antisocial behavior. Moreover, our results provide evidence that the interaction between genetic risk factors and corporal punishment may be particularly salient for males.

Women offenders, disparate treatment, and criminal justice: a theoretical, historical, and contemporary overview

Feminist scholars have criticized the mistreatment of female offenders by the criminal justice system. While current empirical research supports this proposition, a summary of existing literature is necessary to highlight patterns and themes and reiterate the importance of continuing to focus on the plight of female offenders. The current review synthesizes theoretical, historical, and contemporary feminist criminological and criminal justice literature on the gendered and disparate treatment of women offenders in criminal justice. Practical implications and policy relevant solutions are proposed as we look to the future of women and criminal justice.

Commercially Sexually Exploited Girls and Participant Perceptions of Blameworthiness: Examining the Effects of Victimization History and Race Disclosure

Prostitution among female youth has been largely misunderstood, trivialized, or ignored. Increased attention has been directed toward juvenile female delinquency, particularly related to the overlap in their status as victims and offenders. Areas in this research continue to be underinvestigated, however, especially with regard to public perceptions of commercially sexually exploited girls. The current study used survey questionnaires to examine participant perceptions of the blameworthiness of a prostituted minor while considering her victimization history disclosure and race. Results indicate that victimization history disclosure significantly reduced perceptions of blameworthiness and reduced blameworthiness operated similarly for Caucasian and African American females forced into prostitution. Further research directions are discussed.

Sorority Affiliation and Sexual Assault Victimization: Assessing Vulnerability Using Path Analysis

The current research used survey data from 282 college women to investigate the relationship between female Greek membership and sexual assault victimization. Drawing from routine activity theory, low self-control, and social learning theory, this study tested a theoretical model that identified pertinent factors present among sorority environments to determine the relationships between Greek affiliation and sexual assault. Path analyses revealed that sorority women reported consuming more alcohol and with greater frequency, increased risk-taking behavior, delayed assessments of threat and responses to risk, and increased contact with fraternity men—all of which significantly predicted sexual assault. Future theory, research, and policy directions are proposed.