Teenage boys generally feel safer than teenage girls in all environments, new research shows.
The Teenagers and Safety report, by South Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Helen Connolly, examined 908 responses from 12-19-year-olds in South Australia, who participated in the survey between May and June this year.
Teenagers’ safety perceptions were found to vary widely by gender and demographics, with boys feeling generally safer than girls.
The study also revealed discrimination against LGBTQ+ youth, those with disabilities, and culturally diverse backgrounds exacerbates their sense of danger in various settings.
Commissioner Connolly said comprehensive community efforts are crucial to address these disparities and ensure teenagers feel safe at home, school, and in public.
“We have an opportunity to allay the very real fears teenagers have expressed through this survey in relation to their personal safety,” she said.
“Teenagers were clear their feelings of safety would increase if schools and the broader community were more positive toward them in general.”
Commissioner Connolly said teenagers want to be welcomed into community places and spaces by friendly, nice, kind and respectful people of all ages.
“There is a clear need for more education around aspects of safety to be taught within the school curriculum, as well as across the broader community,” she said.
“Topics could include teenage safety in relation to domestic and sexual violence, consent, racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia, bullying, aggression, verbal and physical violence.”