The study analyzes fear of victimization and perceived risk of victimi
zation in the context of socio-demographic variables, experienced vict
imization and personality variables such as trait anxiety and percepti
on of control. Six hundred participants were interviewed in a survey c
onducted in Mexico City. Multiple regression analyses revealed that: b
eing a man, being under 35 years of age, not believing that delinquenc
y can be avoided through good interpersonal relationships or by person
al effort, predicted perceived risk of victimization. Being female, fe
eling worried -as a dimension of trait anxiety-, and believing that po
lice plays a key role en the likelihood of an attack were the variable
s that best predicted fear of victimization.