Capturing what statistics miss: Mapping unsafe places and victimization experiences in the City of Granada, Spain

Abstract

This research assesses safety perceptions and maps unsafe places and victimization experiences of both women and men university students in public spaces throughout Granada city, Spain. Survey data from 383 participants were analyzed, with 413 unsafe places mapped. Statistically, significant gender disparities were found, with women reporting greater insecurity, particularly at night, and experiencing higher frequencies of victimization, notably sexual violence. Spatially, the innovative Perceived Insecurity Points Score (PIPS) emphasizes findings by integrating environmental factors (EF), social factors (SF) and victimization experiences (V), offering a comprehensive assessment of how these factors overlap and influence individuals' experiences. Men identified significantly fewer unsafe locations than women, with only a third acknowledging their existence. Meanwhile, women reported a higher frequency of victimization incidents, particularly involving sexual harassment. The work captures what is often overlooked in official statistics: broader forms of unwanted behavior pose a significant threat to women, extending the shadow of the “hypothesis of sexual assault”.