Analysing Post-earthquake Crime through Statistical Data: Findings from the Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Authors : Ayşe Mahinur Tezcan, A Veronika İnan

Pages : 1369-1388

Doi:10.22559/folklor.3795

View : 28 | Download : 17

Publication Date : 2024-12-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study analyses the occurrence of crimes in earthquake-affected regions, with a particular focus on the aftermath of the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Drawing on routine activity theory, social disorganization theory, and therapeutic community theory, utilizing data sourced from the Turkish Ministry of Justice, this study aims to identify the types of crimes in earthquake-affected regions and examine the dynamics of their fluctuating trends, including increases and decreases. In this study, we employed a quantitative research design, utilizing descriptive, explanatory, and comparative analysis methods. The statistical data includes eighteen different types of crimes, which we have divided into theree main categories: property crimes, crimes against life and sexual crimes. By dividing the period into pre-earthquake and post-earthquake periods (early, late, and entire), the study compares rates of different types of crimes to determine variations and underlying reasons. Routine activity theory and social disorganization theory attempt to explain the increase in crime rates following disasters by highlighting disruptions in societal structures and daily routines. Alternatively, therapeutic community theory suggests that decreased crime rates can be attributed to social solidarity aiming to restore the pre-earthquake social order. The results indicate that the decrease in crime rates during a postearthquake period can be attributed to the therapeutic community effect, while the subsequent rise in crime rates aligns with routine activity theory as a delayed effect. We conclude that crime rates following the Kahramanmaraş earthquake changed in different periods and according to crime types. Crime rates initially decreased across all categories in the early period, increased in all crimes during the late period, while there was a general decline in crimes other than crimes against life over the entire period.
Keywords : suç, terapötik topluluk, rutin aktivite, sosyal düzensizlik, deprem