Exploring Children’s Understanding of Crime, Safety and Police

Autor/es

Gabriela Piña

Rosario Palacios, Francisca Avendaño, Antonia Fuenzalida

Resumen

Although extensive research has examined the links between the built environment and safety perceptions, more studies are needed on children’s understanding of crime, safety, the police, and neighbourhood features. Based on three participatory workshops in Santiago and La Ligua, Chile, this article highlights children’s perspectives on their everyday experiences in public spaces related to crime and safety. Their accounts demonstrate that children’s understanding of their neighbourhoods is dynamic, emphasizing the importance of care relationships and parenting in shaping their perceptions and interactions with the built environment. The research also reveals a gap between adult-centred approaches to care and children’s actual experiences, with emotions playing a significant role in how children interpret concepts of crime, safety, and police. These findings underscore the importance of considering children’s experiences when designing urban spaces that promote safety and wellbeing.