Variations in Victimization: The Relationship between Community Types, Violence against Women and Reporting Behaviors

Existing research suggests that victimization risk is higher among urban residents. Violence against women a notable exception in this trend. While the literature does indicate rural are at equal for violent victimization, it not differentiate between types of non-urban spaces (exurbs, suburbs, small towns, dispersed rural). We use five-category measure rural-urban location articulated land to disentangle victim–offender relationship distribution using female victim sample from 1996–2005 United States National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). In most areas (dispersed locations), likely be victimized by friends or acquaintances. The proportion strangers locations very low. As urbanicity increases, so strangers. findings relationships may dictated proximity. locations, there comparatively fewer people unknown than central city locations. Consequently, proximity dictates offenders unlikely ensures differences and suburban identified. Future should consider impact on increased specificity measurements.