Routine Activities and Risk: Understanding Victimization Patterns in U.S. College Students (1992–2023)

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between college attendance, dormitory residence, and various forms of victimization (sexual, violent, property, and other) among young adults aged 18 to 24 using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey from 1992 to 2023. Guided by Routine Activities Theory, survey-weighted logistic regression models incorporating sampling weights, primary sampling units, and stratification variables were used to assess how structural proxies for capable guardianship, proximity to motivated offenders, and demographic characteristics were associated with victimization risk. Findings revealed that college students, particularly those living in dormitories, were at significantly higher risk of sexual victimization. Female students reported higher victimization rates, while Hispanic identity was associated with lower odds. In contrast, college students had lower odds of violent victimization than their non-college peers. College enrollment was also associated with lower odds of other victimization, whereas dormitory residence was associated with higher odds. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for complex survey design when estimating victimization risk and highlight the role of structural exposure contexts in shaping victimization patterns. The results suggest a need for targeted campus policies that enhance guardianship, address environmental risks, and support diverse student populations. Limitations include measurement constraints and missing data, and future research could extend this work by linking respondents across waves to examine within-person changes in routine activities and victimization risk.