EXPLORING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN COMMUNITY COHESION AND CRIME IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Studies have shown that community cohesion is an important factor in crime reduction. Community cohesion has thrived in societies where there is a common goal and a mutual sense of belonging. Such sense of belonging and common vision has been shown to help reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime such as robbery and assault, regardless of socioeconomic status, lifestyle and neighbourhood characteristics. This study examines the nexus between community cohesion and crime in South Africa. This secondary data analysis involved the 2014/2015 South African Victims of Crime Survey from Statistics South Africa. Using a descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis, findings indicate that the percentage of female respondents with community cohesion was higher than the male (96.9% vs. 95.7%; p < 0.005). A higher proportion of unemployed respondents had community cohesion than the employed (97.8% vs. 94.6%; p