Safe environments
Indicators
Experiences of violence (Speaking Out Survey WA)
Feeling safe in the community (Speaking Out Survey WA)
Safe community environments (Growing Up in Queensland)
Policy context
Experiencing a sense of safety and security is a critical foundation for children and young people’s healthy development. Feeling safe in their neighbourhood and other communities or groups is essential for young people to develop their independence, engage in physical activity outside their home and build positive relationships with other adults and peers.¹
Children and young people who are exposed to violence in their community are at higher risk of negative long-term outcomes including anxiety-related disorders, substance abuse and exhibiting future violent behaviour.²ʼ³
Exposure to violence in the community can also contribute to problems forming positive and trusting relationships and is strongly associated with young people exhibiting conduct problems.⁴
Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive national data collection to inform the indicators within this theme. Instead, some states and territories conduct their own surveys among school students, addressing aspects such as feeling safe in their community and experiences of physical bullying or violence. However, these survey findings are typically only made available in the form of a summarised report specific to each state or territory. In some states, no public reporting takes place.
Tucci J et al 2008, Children’s sense of safety: Children’s experiences of childhood in contemporary Australia, Australian Childhood Foundation, p. 11. Cited in: Commissioner for Children and Young People WA, Indicators of Wellbeing, Safe in the community [cited 2023 September 19]. Available at: https://www.ccyp.wa.gov.au/our-work/indicators-of-wellbeing/age-group-12-to-17-years/safe-in-the-community/
Luthar S and Goldstein A 2015, Children’s Exposure to Community Violence: Implications for Understanding Risk and Resilience, Journal of Clinical Child Adolescent Psychology, Vol 33, No 3. Cited in: Commissioner for Children and Young People WA, Indicators of Wellbeing, Safe in the community [cited 2023 September 19]. Available at: https://www.ccyp.wa.gov.au/our-work/indicators-of-wellbeing/age-group-12-to-17-years/safe-in-the-community/
Guerra NG and Dierkhising MA 2011, The Effects of Community Violence on Child Development, Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development. Available at: https://www.child-encyclopedia.com/social-violence/according-experts/effects-community-violence-child-development
Kersten L et al 2017, Community Violence Exposure and Conduct Problems in Children and Adolescents with Conduct Disorder and Healthy Controls, Frontiers in Behavioural Neuroscience, Vol 11. Cited in: Commissioner for Children and Young People WA, Indicators of Wellbeing, Safe in the community [cited 2023 September 19]. Available at: https://www.ccyp.wa.gov.au/our-work/indicators-of-wellbeing/age-group-12-to-17-years/safe-in-the-community/
