School safety and combating crime: the views of a group of Free State learners and educators.

Statements by academics and newspaper reports on crime in schools have resulted in the majority of people believing that crime in schools is out of control. This may lead to a feeling of helplessness and a laissez-faire attitude. Research on school safety is therefore essential. An empirical investigation was launched among a group of Free State educators and learners, initially to determine how safe their schools were. Secondly, an attempt was made to determine to what extent respondents had been exposed to crime during the preceding twelve months, whether they had reported the crimes and, if not, why not. Thirdly, they were asked to suggest crime prevention strategies. The findings are presented against the background of a criminological perspective on juvenile delinquency and a literature review on the causes of crime and crime prevention strategies. (South African Journal of Education: 2003 23 (2): 85-93