`If I Don't Know Them, I'll Get Killed Probably'

Abstract

Violence has eroded the childhood environment of many children in US cities. This study examined 60 7- to 11-year-old children's neighborhood perceptions and help-seeking behavior in Cleveland, Ohio (USA) neighborhoods with different levels of violence/crime. Results showed that children of neighborhoods of both low and elevated levels of violence were exposed to violence and expressed concerns about victimization. In light of these concerns, children described strategies to maintain personal safety while seeking help. Such strategies illustrate children's interactions with their local environments, interpreting environmental features and acting accordingly. Future work should examine the larger social forces shaping the environments in which these help-seeking strategies operate.