Final answer:
Women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities are considered more likely to become victims of street mugging due to perceived and actual vulnerabilities. Poor lighting, alleys, and landscape disorder heighten the fear of assault in public spaces. Social disorganization and higher IPV rates among minority women also contribute to varying risks of victimization.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering who is most likely to become victims of street muggers, one must understand various sociological and psychological factors. Although specific victimization patterns can vary, studies indicate that certain demographics, such as women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, often report feeling more vulnerable in public spaces. Factors such as poorly-lit areas, landscape disorder including graffiti and vandalism, and the presence of groups perceived as threatening can all contribute to a heightened fear of assault in outdoor spaces. Therefore, women, who often face the brunt of sexual violence and harassment, along with the elderly, children, and infirm, can be considered at higher risk of becoming street mugging victims due to perceived and real vulnerabilities.
For instance, a park that is feared by women is likely to be poorly lit or have features such as alleys or recessed spaces. These conditions can provide opportunities for would-be attackers to hide, increasing the risk of victimization. Elderly people may also face a higher risk of abuse, not necessarily from strangers, but often from caregivers or spouses. Moreover, infants are particularly vulnerable to neglect due to their total dependency on parents or guardians for care, highlighting how different groups vary in their susceptibility to different forms of crime or neglect.
Additional factors influencing the likelihood of becoming victims include the degree of social disorganization within a community, with crime more likely to occur in areas where neighbors are not familiar with one another. Furthermore, women in minority groups such as Black, Native American, and Alaskan Native women, face higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to other demographics, indicating another facet of victimization potential based on both gender and ethnicity.