Author
Martin Killias
Other affiliations: University of Lausanne, Max Planck Society, University of Zurich
Bio: Martin Killias is an academic researcher from University of St. Gallen. The author has contributed to research in topics: Poison control & Juvenile delinquency. The author has an hindex of 31, co-authored 155 publications receiving 3691 citations. Previous affiliations of Martin Killias include University of Lausanne & Max Planck Society.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: In this article, a representative sample of Switzerland's population (N=726) was interviewed on various aspects of fear of crime in the public sphere and all respondents were asked how they assessed their own ability to escape or resist in case of an attack by a young assailant.
Abstract: Vulnerability has, in research conducted over the last decade, been found to be significantly related to fear of crime. It seems to be particularly helpful in explaining seemingly disproportionate fear levels among women and the elderly, as well as in a few situational contexts. In the present research, a representative sample of Switzerland's population (N=726) was interviewed on various aspects of fear of crime in the public sphere. All respondents were asked how they assessed their own ability to escape or resist in case of an attack by a young assailant. In addition, interviewers rated several aspects of respondents' visible' vulnerability. In multivariate analyses, vulnerability, as assessed by respondents themselves, explained fears and worries about crime better than interviewer-assessed measures of vulnerability. It is concluded that, in comparison to demographic and contextual (neighbourhood) variables, physical vulnerability seems to play an important and consistent role in the genesis of fear of crime.
263 citations
TL;DR: Three dimensions of vulnerability (exposure to risk, seriousness of consequences, loss of control) are identified and integrated into an analytical framework which also takes into account physical, social, and situational factors of vulnerability.
Abstract: Previous research on fear of crime has identified, among women and other sub-groups of the population, high fear levels which could not be adequately explained by measures of exposure to risk. Several authors have argued, therefore, that vulnerability may be the key variable behind the observed distribution of fear of crime. In this paper, three dimensions of vulnerability (exposure to risk, seriousness of consequences, loss of control) are identified and integrated into an analytical framework which also takes into account physical, social, and situational factors of vulnerability. A selective international review of research reveals considerable support for the suggested model.
253 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The correlations detected in this study suggest that the presence of a gun in the home increases the likelihood of homicide or suicide.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine international correlations between reported rates of household gun ownership and rates of homicide and suicide with a gun DESIGN: Survey POPULATION: People who responded to a telephone survey conducted by the 1989 International Crime Survey in 11 European countries, Australia, Canada and the United States RESULTS: Positive correlations were obtained between the rates of household gun ownership and the national rates of homicide and suicide as well as the proportions of homicides and suicides committed with a gun There was no negative correlation between the rates of ownership and the rates of homicide and suicide committed by other means; this indicated that the other means were not used to "compensate" for the absence of guns in countries with a lower rate of gun ownership CONCLUSION: Larger studies are needed to examine more closely possible confounding factors such as the national tendency toward violent solutions, and more information on the type and availability of guns will be helpful in future studies Nevertheless, the correlations detected in this study suggest that the presence of a gun in the home increases the likelihood of homicide or suicide
197 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1990
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented resuits from an international research project in which surveys were conducted with representative samples of national populations of people aged 16 years or more about their experiences of crime.
Abstract: This report bas presented resuits from an international research project in which surveys were conducted with representative samples of national populations of people aged 16 years or more about their experiences of crime. The surveys took place in the early part of 1989. fourteen countries, in and out of Europe, conducted surveys which were fully standardized as regards sampling metliod, method of interview, and questions asked. The suwey provides unique comparative information about people’s experience of crime. It gives a measure of the extent of criminal victimization which is independent of that based on statistics of offences recorded by the police. These statistics enumerate only crimes reported to, and recorded by the police, and have been found difficult to use for comparative purposes. The survey also collected from respondents in each country comparative information about their responses to crime.
195 citations
178 citations
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TL;DR: Improving adolescent health worldwide requires improving young people's daily life with families and peers and in schools, addressing risk and protective factors in the social environment at a population level, and focusing on factors that are protective across various health outcomes.
1,648 citations
TL;DR: The literature on fear of crime has grown rapidly in the last three decades as discussed by the authors, and the reasons for this growth and attempts to put some structure on the work to date are discussed and alternative approaches suggested.
Abstract: The literature on fear of crime has grown rapidly in the last three decades. This paper examines the reasons for this growth and attempts to put some structure on the work to date. The inadequacies of measures of fear of crime are discussed and alternative approaches suggested. Alternative explanatory theories are compared and strategies for reducing fear reviewed.
1,258 citations
TL;DR: Clinical and public health approaches to the reduction in youth suicide and recommendations for further research will be discussed.
Abstract: This review examines the descriptive epidemiology, and risk and protective factors for youth suicide and suicidal behavior A model of youth suicidal behavior is articulated, whereby suicidal behavior ensues as a result of an interaction of socio-cultural, developmental, psychiatric, psychological, and family-environmental factors On the basis of this review, clinical and public health approaches to the reduction in youth suicide and recommendations for further research will be discussed
1,179 citations
01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: Part of the courts, criminal law, criminal procedure, criminology, Law and Society Commons, Law Enforcement and Corrections Commons, Legislation Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, and the Race and Ethnicity Commons.
Abstract: How does access to this work benefit you? Let us know! Follow this and additional works at: http://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_pubs Part of the Courts Commons, Criminal Law Commons, Criminal Procedure Commons, Criminology Commons, Judges Commons, Law and Politics Commons, Law and Society Commons, Law Enforcement and Corrections Commons, Legislation Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, and the Race and Ethnicity Commons
916 citations
TL;DR: The relationship between crime and the physical environment is mediated through individual awareness and action spaces as discussed by the authors, and crime is strongly related to aggregate elements of the perceived physical environment: nodes, paths, edges and an environmental backcloth.
825 citations