Purpose

Given their young age, students are at a heightened risk of violent victimisation. Yet few studies have considered students’ perceptions of safety and the impact of these, on a British university campus. The purpose of this research was to close this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

From late 2019–2020, using an online university wide survey, data was gathered over a three-month period from 550 students studying at a university in the north of England on “city” campuses about their perceptions of safety and security on-campus.

Findings

Students, particularly women students, felt unsafe on the university campuses because of poor lighting, limited CCTV, security patrols and the presences of others. They felt unsafe in and around teaching buildings, moving around the campuses and in transport locations.

Research limitations/implications

The response rate of the survey was 6%. Consequently, the findings are not representative of the wider student population on the campuses.

Practical implications

Campus Security should consider enhancing surveillance on the campuses.

Social implications

Students, particularly women, limited the time they spent on-campus studying because they felt unsafe. Their choices about when and how to engage in their university education were therefore restricted.

Originality/value

This study addresses the gap in research on students’ perceptions of safety and the impact of these, on a British university campus. In doing so, it forefronts the responsibility of higher education institutions to enhance students’ safety, including their perceptions of safety, on-campus.

中文翻译：

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黑暗荒凉的校园：如何提升学生的校园安全意识？

目的

考虑到他们的年龄，学生遭受暴力侵害的风险更高。然而，很少有研究考虑过英国大学校园中学生对安全的看法及其影响。这项研究的目的是缩小这一差距。

设计/方法/方法

从 2019 年末到 2020 年，使用在线大学范围内的调查，收集了为期三个月的数据，这些数据来自在英格兰北部一所大学就读的“城市”校园的 550 名学生，他们对校园安全和安保的看法。

发现

由于光线不足、闭路电视有限、安全巡逻和其他人在场，学生，尤其是女学生在大学校园里感到不安全。他们在教学楼内和周围感到不安全，在校园和交通地点走动。

研究限制/影响

调查的回复率为6%。因此，调查结果不能代表校园内更广泛的学生群体。

实际影响

校园安全应考虑加强对校园的监控。

社会影响

学生，尤其是女性，限制了他们在校园学习的时间，因为他们感到不安全。因此，他们对何时以及如何进行大学教育的选择受到限制。

原创性/价值

这项研究解决了英国大学校园中学生对安全的看法及其影响的研究差距。在这样做的过程中，它将高等教育机构提高学生安全的责任放在首位，包括他们对校园安全的看法。