Sense of safety and security supported

Full description

This outcome is about how cultural engagement supports people’s sense of safety and security: their sense of freedom from danger, risk or injury. This includes how safe they feel their local community is, as well as the broader Australian community, and how secure they feel in their homes and moving about in the community. We use ‘sense’ in this outcome as often people perceive that they are unsafe and insecure whilst crime statistics for a particular location may indicate that in fact there is a high level of safety and security.

Theory underpinning this outcome

Arts and cultural activities can impact on both sense of safety and actual safety. Culture can challenge negative images of people and places such as community mural painting which through adapting the urban environment have been shown to change a community’s perception of itself as well as that of outsiders (Ross, 2016). The presence of cultural activities in urban environments can result in a greater public presence which can increase feelings of safety. Activities such as creative placemaking, installations and events can increase public traffic which has been shown to increase public safety (Cozens and Love, 2015). The presence of buskers at subway stations have been linked to greater feelings of safety which then resulted in greater use of the subway and in turn may have led to an actual increase in public safety (Lake, 2012)

Evidence that this outcome occurs

(This item is currently in development. Updates will be posted here as they are completed.)

Activities

As of April 2021, there were 16 activities in Takso selecting this outcome with 2 completed and evaluated. Types of activities undertaken to achieve this outcome include:

• Commissioning of public art (not acquired),
• Performances: performing arts of all forms.

Results

Over the 2 completed activities that addressed this outcome, 112 people responded to the evaluation question. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being not at all and 10 the most imaginable, respondents reported an average pre activity level of 3.4 for this outcome and a post activity average of 5.75.

Sense of safety and security increased

2 Activities / 112 responses / Pre activity average 3.4 / Post activity average 5.75

Sense of safety and security

Cozens, P and Love, T. (2015) A review and current status of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). Journal of Planning Literature. 30(4): 393-412.

Lake, J.G. (2012) Demsetz underground: busking regulation and the formation of property rights. New York University Law Review. 87: 1100-2102

Ross, C. (2016). Exploring the Ways Arts and Culture Intersect with Public Safety Identifying Current Practice and Opportunities for Further Inquiry. Washington: Urban Institute.

Cozens, P., & Love, T. (2015). A review and current status of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). Journal of Planning Literature, 30(4), 393-412.