The City of Casey has partnered with Monash University’s XYX Lab and digital consultancy CrowdSpot, to launch a new safety mapping tool for the local community.
The new online interactive map titled ‘YourGround’, will allow women and gender-diverse people in Casey who are 18 years and older, to share their perceptions of safety regarding Casey’s streets, parks, trails and recreational spaces.
The map will crowdsource the data, allowing users to anonymously drop a pin, tell a story or share an experience while out and about in the community.
The data will then provide the council with insights regarding how to make Casey’s public spaces more inclusive and equitable.
A 2019 Community Council for Australia report notes that 80 per cent of Australian men feel safe while walking alone at night, while only 50 per cent of women say the same, demonstrating that movement and access is restricted for women and gender diverse people.
The City of Casey is committed to creating a safer community for all, while acknowledging that women and gender diverse groups are statistically the most vulnerable.
City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff encouraged all people in Casey to share their experiences and help shape a safer and more inclusive community for current and future generations.
“Council is committed to creating inclusive spaces for all and YourGround is a proactive tool to help us make positive change in our shared public spaces, especially for women and gender-diverse people,” she said.
“All experiences provide a valuable insight into what we can do to improve safety and inclusivity in our community.”
The City of Casey is one of 15 Victorian Councils to partner on the YourGround project to address these barriers and make Victoria a safer and more inclusive space.
According to the council, the City of Casey’s commitment to gender equality and the prevention of family violence is demonstrated through its Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2018-2021 and Gender Equality Action Plan 2018-2021.
The council’s recently formed Gender Equality Task Force also aims to assist in ensuring that Casey’s policies, programs and services address the barriers to gender equality, and ensure equal representation.
To find out more, download the YourGround app and visit the YourGround website.
