Date of Award

Fall 9-5-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Sociology

First Advisor

Cristian Paredes

Abstract

This dissertation explores fear of victimization, personal encounters with crime, perceptions of institutional trust, support for informal justice practices, and avoidance of spaces in Guatemala. Institutional trust—understood as individuals’ confidence in the police, judiciary, and correctional systems, particularly their fairness and effectiveness—is vital for democratic governance and social stability. High levels of trust in legal institutions can foster civic engagement, reduce social fragmentation, and encourage public cooperation in crime prevention. In contrast, diminished trust may lead individuals to withdraw from formal systems of justice, limiting the state's capacity to function effectively. Utilizing nationally representative data from the National Survey of Perceptions of Public Safety and Victimization, this research addresses three key questions: 1. How do prior experiences of violent and non-violent victimization, as well as fear of victimization, shape levels of trust in the police, courts, and prisons—are there differences by sex and ethnicity? 2. What individual-level factors predict support for informal justice mechanisms in Guatemala, and are there differences by sex? 3. Does fear of victimization influence attendance at leisure spaces such as movie theatres and sports venues, and are there differences by sex and ethnicity? A growing body of research shows that victimization and fear of crime significantly affect perceptions of the criminal justice system. The first study explores trust in police, courts, and correctional institutions, analyzing how different forms of victimization—violent, non-violent, and multiple incidents—relate to trust. It also examines differences by sex and ethnicity. Findings reveal a negative association between fear and institutional trust. Notably, prior non- violent victimization is linked to lower levels of trust, underscoring the complex relationship between experience and perception. Significant group differences also emerge: Ladino respondents with moderate to high levels of fear report lower trust in the justice system, while women who have experienced victimization exhibit comparatively higher trust. The second study focuses on informal justice—defined as the resolution of disputes and enforcement of norms outside formal legal institutions. I analyze individual-level support for informal justice through three crime scenarios, with particular attention to differences by sex. I examine how fear of victimization, prior violent and non-violent victimization, and institutional trust shape support for informal mechanisms. Results show that individuals who report fear, report prior non-violent victimization, or express higher institutional trust are less likely to support informal justice practices. These findings raise concerns about the legitimacy of formal institutions, as widespread reliance on informal justice may encourage parallel systems and normalize vigilante behavior. The third study addresses how fear of victimization affects access to leisure spaces, an important but often overlooked dimension of quality of life. Prior research suggests that fear significantly limits people’s use of public spaces, especially when physical disorder—such as broken streetlights or vandalism—is present. This analysis identifies vulnerable populations in Guatemala by examining whether fear, gender, and ethnicity influence avoidance of leisure spaces. Findings indicate that women and Indigenous individuals are more likely to avoid movie theatres and sporting events due to elevated fear or prior victimization. These results highlight the need for public safety interventions that expand access to safe, inclusive, and community- oriented leisure spaces.

Download

Included in

Sociology Commons

Share

COinS