Design for Safety: Perceptions of Safety Among Residents and Staff within Family and Domestic Violence Refuges in Australia

Abstract Purpose The point at which someone decides to leave a situation of family and domestic violence (FDV) is often marked by an escalation of violence, making it critical that safe housing options are available. However, what constitutes ‘safe’, and how can the design of the refuge environment help contribute to a greater sense of safety? This research examines the impact of the design of FDV refuges on residents’ and staff’s perceptions of safety. Methods Structured interviews and an accompanying demographic survey were conducted with residents ( n = 31) and staff ( n = 21) at six FDV women’s refuges across Australia. Interview data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Results Among staff, we see emphasis on physical safety, risk management, and a linking of the concept of safety with that of home. Whereas for residents, perceptions of safety were defined more in terms of emotional safety and the absence of fear, stress and anxiety, and the positive impact of personal support. Additionally, whilst staff cited the use of hidden refuge locations as an important safety feature, among residents, hidden locations did not feature strongly as a factor contributing to perceptions of safety. Conclusion For residents, perceptions of safety extend beyond physical safety, and there is a need to broaden notions of how the design of refuges might better support safety. Designers and service providers need to embrace a more comprehensive notion of safety as one that also integrates emerging research on design for wellbeing, trauma-informed design, and the physiological impact of the built environment.