skip to content

Violence Research Centre

 

Why Did Mexico Become A Violent Country? Recent Evidence and Alternative Hypotheses

Talk by David Pérez Esparza

 

 

ABOUT THE TALK

During the last decade, violence in Mexico has increased severely. Some estimates set the death toll above 120,000 killed, not including an additional 27,000 missing. Although many efforts have been made to stop the violence, murder, kidnappings and extortion cases are escalating even in formerly peaceful regions.
This situation, nonetheless, is uncommon. Throughout the 20th century, Mexico experienced a clear decrease in crime. In fact, during 2004 criminality reached its lowest level in all recorded history, following a pattern observed in developed countries.
However, after the 2004-2007 period, the observed decline ceased and homicides began to increase. Other crimes such as violent robberies, extortions and kidnappings appeared for the first time in previously-considered non-violent regions.
This research has provided evidence to conclude that a policy shift that occurred outside of Mexico (the U.S. Assault Weapon Ban's expiration in 2004) is associated with this violence increase. In fact, more than any domestic factor.

 

Free admission, talk followed by refreshments

Join our event on Facebook

 

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

David Pérez Esparza is currently a Ph.D. in Security Sciences at University College London. David is an experienced researcher on subjects related to violence in Mexico and has been involved in policy making on the same area. He is part of the UK College of Policing where he develops strategies for crime reduction. 

 

 

This event is jointly organised by the Violence Research Centre and the Cambridge University Mexican Society.

 

Date: 
Wednesday, 25 February, 2015 - 18:00 to 19:30
Event location: 
Room B4, Institute of Criminology, University of Camrbidge