OSSP Survey

One in two young people
feel ‘unsafe’ in public places
throughout Western Australia. 

More than 500 young people responded to the survey about their opinions of safety – and what makes them feel safe or unsafe.

Survey responses showed the most unsafe public scenarios for young people involved intoxicated people and the availability of alcohol in public
places.

Comments such as, “I feel unsafe when I feel drugs alcohol or unsocial behaviour are involved” and “If people are drinking they can be
unpredictable and things can change very quickly, so I don’t
trust them as much and hence feel less safe”.

Deborah Costello, CEO of ICCWA believes this is an important message for local governments to consider when planning public events, “The statistics on alcohol and violence confirm the fears of many young people.  We strongly recommend to councils the need for alcohol free areas at public events and
consideration of the proximity of licensed venues to youth orientated public spaces for urban planning in general.”
 

Ms Costello says “Some people may think that young people have few concerns about safety. The results show that today’s youth are in fact very
safety conscious, and have a practical range of strategies to live their life in public spaces and places. They don’t want to live their lives in fear.”