Victimization perspective: Gumushane University students example

The relationship between the city and crime is an important issue that has gained importance especially in the post-World War I period. Research in this field examines the problems faced by migrant individuals in urban areas and the resulting increase in crime rates. The Chicago School is one of the pioneers in developing basic theories on this subject. This approach revealed the factors affecting criminal behavior such as "difficulties experienced by immigrants in adaptation, cultural conflicts, exclusion, housing problems". The social structure offered by the city and the inability of individuals to adapt to this structure lead to an increase in crime phenomena. The concept of Victim Syndrome plays an important role in explaining the difference between the perceived crime rates of the society and the actual crime rates and the level of fear this creates in individuals. This concept appears as an important variable affecting the level of security perception especially in cities. The surveys conducted at Gümüşhane University in 2018 and 2024 examined students' perception of crime in the city and the level of insecurity they feel in relation to it. This study observes changes over time by comparing the actual crime rates of the city with students' beliefs about these rates. The results reveal how the perception of urban security has evolved and how individuals' concerns about crime have changed. This type of research provides important data for understanding the urban-crime relationship and improving social security.