Download our brochure for more information (PDF)

Victorian Safe Communities Network Inc

Injury (intentional and unintentional) in our homes, at work and school, during sport and leisure activities, on the road and in public places is a significant cause of death, illness and disability in our community. The harm from injury particulary affects children and young adults.

In 2001, there were 1,638  injury deaths, 93,208 injury hospital admissions (excluding re-admissions) and 189,735 Emergency Department (ED) injury presentations.  The direct treatment cost to Victoria of these deaths and hospital-treated injury cases was at least $952 million.  The total lifetime cost (direct and indirect) was at least $3.1 billion. 

Most of these deaths and injuries are preventable. The Victorian Safe Communities Network (VSCN) is dedicated to making Victoria a safer place in which to live, work and play.

VSCN is a forum for practitioners, researchers, government and state-wide agencies working in areas such as community based injury prevention and community safety promotion. Issues covered by VSCN member organisations include farm, home, road, workplace and sports injury prevention and child and seniors safety. Crime and violence issues include crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), safety in public spaces and venues, domestic and public violence and drug and alcohol harm minimisation. The general members of the Network meet quarterly and an executive committee meets bi-monthly.

The main functions of the VSCN are:

• Mutual support and communication
• Exchange of information on effective interventions and useful resources
• Diffusion of best practice in community safety
• Advocacy on injury prevention and community safety issues to the government and the community.

The Safe Communities concept began its formal existence at the First World Conference on Accident and Injury Prevention held in Stockholm, Sweden in September 1989. The Manifesto for Safe Communities, the resolution of the conference, states that "All human beings have an equal right to health and safety." The WHO safe communities movement is worldwide. The VSCN will assist member communities to become part of this movement.

THE AIC/VSCN CONFERENCE FINAL PROGRAM. YOUNG PEOPLE, CRIME AND COMMUNITY SAFETY: engagement and early intervention 25-26th Feb 2008 (118kb)