Minister for Women Katy Gallagher has released the results of her Safe. Everywhere. Always. survey. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Katy Gallagher’s survey on women’s safety in Canberra has returned some clear results, including calls for public spaces and transport to be improved to provide greater protection.
Civic, Braddon, Dickson, bus interchanges, and nature reserves were reported as the most unsafe areas.
The ACT Labor Senator and Minister for Women launched the survey in June as part of the Safe. Everywhere. Always. campaign asking Canberra’s women and girls to share experiences and ideas about public safety.
Senator Gallagher provided a statement about the results in the Senate this week (29 October).
While three-quarters of women responding to the survey reported they felt safe most of the time, a vast majority still said they changed their plans to keep safe.
Almost half the young women surveyed said they changed their plans every time they left home.
Through the survey, Senator Gallagher called for suggestions about what needed to change when it came to women’s public safety in the national capital.
The survey asked Canberra women and girls directly how safe they felt, how public safety concerns might influence their behaviour and if there were any particular geographical areas or locations of concern.
The survey was completed by more than 2500 women and girls across the ACT. The results provided a clear picture of how safety concerns were shaping the daily lives of Canberra women.
Senator Gallagher said women and girls in the capital had been clear about what they thought needed to change.
“I launched this survey asking Canberra women and girls to share their experiences of safety in public spaces and identify what needs to change to make them feel safer,” she said.
“The findings of this survey are confronting. Canberra women are avoiding public transport after dark, abandoning exercise routines, and paying for taxis or ride-shares they can’t afford because they don’t feel safe.
“I want to thank the more than 2500 women and girls who have shared their stories and their solutions.
“Now it’s up to us, across all levels of government, to act on what they’ve told us. Every woman deserves to be safe, everywhere, always.”
Seventy-six per cent of women surveyed reported feeling safe most or all of the time; 86.6 per cent changed their plans due to safety concerns; and 43 per cent of young women aged 15–24 took safety precautions every time they left home.
Other key findings included 1166 mentions of inadequate lighting at bus stops, interchanges, parks and pathways; more than 700 women called for education campaigns focusing on men’s attitudes and behaviour; and 46 per cent of women lacked confidence in current reporting structures.
“Canberra women have given us a very clear message, they want safer public spaces, better infrastructure, stronger policing responses, and meaningful action on men’s behaviour,” Senator Gallagher said.
“These findings make it clear that change is urgent and achievable. Women and girls have shared their experiences and their solutions. Now it’s our responsibility to act on them.”
Senator Gallagher has written to the ACT Government and National Capital Authority (NCA) about the results.
“Given the strong community feedback about inadequate lighting in key public areas, I have asked the NCA for an update on its forthcoming lighting review, including how it will address personal safety and what immediate measures can be taken to improve lighting in the interim.
“The Albanese Government’s commitment to ending violence against women and children within a generation requires action at every level.
“I’m committed to working across governments and with the community to make sure Canberra is a place where every woman and girl can feel safe, everywhere, always.”
If this story has raised concerns, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT on 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 02 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
