Moving out and moving on: The experiences of women who relocated from high crime communities in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Due to high levels of criminal activities in high crime communities, many residents, especially women, relocate to locales that are perceived as safer. However, there is sparse scholarship on the relocation of women from high crime communities in the Caribbean. Therefore, the current study is novel in the Caribbean's context and contributes to criminological scholarship on issues facing women in the region. In an effort to close this gap, the current study utilized a qualitative approach via semi-structured interviews with twenty women in Trinidad and Tobago to understand their lived experiences and rationales for moving out from high crime communities. The sample comprised women with varying ages, ethnicities, experiences, parental statuses and geographical locations. The participants indicated that they relocated due to a host of negative experiences and challenges, including: lack of safety, desire for safer environments, preservation of children's future, desire for improved quality of life, desire for peace of mind/comfort, negative stereotyping of communities, high crime rate/gang activities, profession, poor infrastructure, need for better access to amenities, and, low social reputation/lack of community cohesion. Three themes emanated from the study (presence of criminal gangs, high levels of criminal activities, and fearful for life) and they are discussed.