THE importance of community safety as a shared responsibility was identified in a new research report from University of Limerick (UL), detailing the views of marginalised members of Irish society.
The report, relating to policing and community safety, was led by researchers from UL’s School of Medicine and provided insights from marginalised communities most impacted by policing and community safety, both within Ireland and globally.
Titled ‘Hidden Voices, Marginalised Community Perspectives on Policing and Community Safety,’ the report points to community safety as not solely the responsibility of the police but also replying on trust between communities and the police, social cohesion, connectedness, and integration. It also calls for a multifaceted approach to tackling intergenerational poverty and exclusion.
The views of those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities, addiction issues, homelessness, autism, and mental health conditions were all analysed as part of the research. Members of the LGBTQ+, Traveller, and Roma communities were also consulted.
Professor Colum Dunne, head of UL’s School of Medicine, and Professor Gautam Gulati, adjunct clinical professor, led the research outlined in the report.
“This work stems from a wish to gain insights into the experiences and perspectives of stakeholders regarding community safety and policing in their specific contexts,” Prof Dunne explained.
“Our ambition was to base this on real lived experience, and to avoid both assumption and speculation. As a result, the report is unique and will, we hope, help to guide decision-making and policy going forward,” he added.