Safer Streets

Prepared with assistance from the Centre for Sport and Recreation Research, Curtin University.

Sport and physical activity can change the way young people think about themselves. Research shows that participating in sport and recreation can change a young person’s perception of themselves and ultimately build greater self-confidence and reduce negative behaviours — which plays a part in preventing and reducing crime. It’s been found that sport can help:

There are a number of barriers that contribute to reduced sport and recreation participation by young people in some communities. This potentially leads to increased levels of delinquency and disruptive behaviour in local streets.

Research indicates that youths perceived that when home or school failed to meet certain needs, they spent more time on the streets, leading to incarceration. These young people also described their homes, schools and neighbourhoods as chaotic and unsafe. ²

There are a number of factors that contribute to this:

Affordability of sport

The cost of living often precludes youth from participating in sport and recreation activities, which can lead to boredom and too much free time, leaving young people to find other activities including those of a negative nature. 

Family time versus peer time

Increased time spent with peers as opposed to with family, is a highly significant risk factor for behaviours such as: Alcohol, cigarette and illicit drug use, Delinquency and Sexual activity. Researchers found that family time can serve as a protective factor against these problems.³

Values and integrity

• Verbal and physical abuse
• Pressure to perform
• Poor role models
• Use of illicit substances.

Building safer streets through sport

Delinquency and the role of organised sport

Past research⁵ suggests that sport programs are related to reduced delinquency in (particularly Aboriginal) youth. This specifically occurred during sport seasons and was characterised by a marked drop in delinquency in rural and remote communities.

Rehabilitation of young people through sport

Youth rehabilitation programs (including sport programs) are more effective when they:

School-based sport activities

Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies show sport at school and sport as an extra-curricular activity reduces violent victimisation of youth. ⁷

Make success in sport, rather than incarceration, the path

Breaking cycles of juvenile incarceration will require that the public health community partner with legislators, educators, community leaders, and youths to determine how to make success, rather than incarceration, the easier path for disadvantaged adolescents. ⁸

Other findings show intervention programs should challenge youth through sport in the following ways:

• Offer novel and challenging activities
• Ensure activities are tailored to the target group
• Provide a continuing contact point for youth
• Provide leadership opportunities for young people in organising and deciding activities
• Engage with young people as individuals and not simply on the basis of their behaviour.⁹

Participation builds self-confidence and leads to the acquisition of self-discipline, punctuality and healthy sportsmanship.¹⁰

By being more engaged in their local community, youth are less likely to resort to criminal behaviour which in turn creates a feeling of being safe in their own streets and creates more positive emotional and behavioural wellbeing.

Positive self-esteem and positive perceptions of quality of life are significantly more likely to reduce social risk factors for juvenile delinquency and serious antisocial behaviour in youth-at-risk.¹¹

Be part of a club

“People are more likely to confide, ask small favours and obtain support from their sport and recreation clubs.”¹⁶

This sort of social interaction and support are brought about by a range of sources which can include:

Conclusion — a safer community for all

References

1. Williams et al., 2015.
2. Barnert et al., 2015.
3. Barnes, Hoffman, Welte, Farrell, & Dintcheff, 2007.
4. e.g. Lim, Mokhtar, & Balbir, 2012; Taheri & Welsh, 2015; Van Hout & Phelan, 2014; Williams et al., 2015.
5. Schwaiger (2007); Tatz (1994)
6. Andrews & Andrews, 2003.
7. Jiang & Peterson, 2012; Peguero, 2013.
8. Barnert et al. 2015
9. Morris, Sallybanks, Willis & Makkai, 2003
10. Jacobs, 2005.
11. Lim et al. 2012.
12. Skinner, Zakus, & Cowell, 2008.  
13. CSRR: Sport and Mental Health. March 2015
14. Donaldson & Ronan, 2006; Huang & Humphreys, 2012
15. Asztalos et al., 2012; Vella et al., 2014
16. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2010.

More information

For more information or to obtain copies of other publications contact:

Advocacy Project Officer
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
246 Vincent Street, Leederville WA 6007
PO Box 8349 Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Telephone 61 8 6552 7300
Email the Advocacy Project Officer