New reports released by the Productivity Commission are pointing to Canberra having the highest rate of physical and sexual assault victims in the country – the country! Showing a victim rate of 4706 per 100,000 this places the ACT above the Northern Territory for physical and sexual assault.
The Productivity Commission have flagged some room for error in Sexual assault figures, but assuming this is the case in all States and Territories I am compelled to ask how Canberra has found itself in this situation.
I also recall some time ago (around the time of the St Vinnies CEO sleep out) that there were some fairly surprising figures on homelessness in the capital putting us at the second highest for homelessness in the Country.
I must admit that I had always assumed Canberra to be a relatively well-educated, middle class city. If this is the case, how is it that we are in this position – dealing with high levels of violence and homelessness. And, are the two linked?
How does a city built so firmly on the Federal Public Services find itself so far down the chain? Surely we should be in a position to lead the way – to have low crime and social care for everyone.
Is it the fault of people like me? I live in the suburbs and keep my head down with this assumption that Canberra is a little oasis of all things good and moral…