COMMUNITY VIOLENCE AMONG WOMEN IN TIJUANA “I FEEL FEAR: PERCEPTION OF VIOLENCE AMONG WOMEN IN TIJUANA"

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the fear of community violence among women in Priority Attention Zones (ZAP) Tijuana, considering their roles as victims, witnesses, or individuals who have heard accounts from others, and how these experiences influence their decisions. It seeks to identify patterns, understand the emotions, perceptions, and choices behind each experience, as well as the motivations and strategies employed to confront the situation and avoid threats. A total of 233 in-depth interviews were conducted with women aged 18 to 50. Emphasis was placed on analyzing how women perceive the danger in the streets. Notably, younger women, aged 18 to 25, exhibit perceptions of fear and distrust. Older women provide a broader perspective on violence, which extends beyond physical aggression to include deeper structural and psychosocial elements.