Examining reporting and risk-avoidance intentions among residents of high-crime neighborhoods: results from a city-wide survey experiment

Examine how offense severity and victim–offender relationship shape intentions to report violence and engage in avoidance behaviors among residents of high-crime neighborhoods. A 2×2 factorial survey experiment was embedded in a community survey of 220 adults from nine high-crime St. Louis, MO neighborhoods. Logistic regression models estimated vignette effects on reporting and avoidance intentions. Firearm presence increased intentions to contact police and community workers and avoid risk. Simple assaults by strangers were more likely to be reported to police than those by acquaintances. Respondents expressed willingness to report to police and family or friends, but not community workers. Findings reveal gendered help-seeking and the significance of police legitimacy. Results add nuance to discussions of victimization responses and highlight the need for victim services tailored to high-crime contexts. Future research should examine additional reporting, risk-avoidance, and protective responses to better understand how individuals navigate victimization.