NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1328779
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Words Matter: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Campus Crime Alerts and Considerations for Best Practices
Wesely, Jennifer K.; Brown, Elizabeth R.; Phills, Curtis E.
Journal of American College Health, v70 n1 p49-57 2022
Objective: An impediment to an informed discussion of the impact that campus crime alerts have on college campuses is the dearth of research on the topic. This study explores the composition of campus crime alerts and the ways they convey and (re)produce meanings concerning victimization, perpetration, responsibility, and consent. Methods: This study uses an qualitative content analysis of a sample of 3,702 campus crime alerts from 55 universities in the United States. Results: Three themes (Central Actor, Overgendering, and Gratuitous Content) emerge. When the victim is portrayed as the alert subject using a passive voice and the crime is framed within a gendered, editorialized narrative, the alert focus shifts to the victim's rather than the perpetrator's identity and behaviors. Conclusions: The wording of alerts may compromise the safety of the campus community by reinforcing misguided expectations for behavior and shaping misleading perceptions of risk; considerations for best practices are explored.
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A