illustration for the drivers of inequality

Driver Category 1.6

Inadequate and unequal distribution of security and protection infrastructure and resources, and effective regulation of dangerous and offence weapons

This category captures drivers related to unequal exposure to violence and homicide (eg. due to living in insecure neighbourhoods) and the distribution of the state’s resources that should be deployed to equally protect all citizens, including particularly vulnerable citizens such as asylum seekers, refugees and displaced populations, remote communities, people living in slums and the avoidance of so-called civil authority 'no-go areas'.

At the other end of the spectrum, this driver category covers the issue of some groups being much more secure, due to their ability to invest in their own private security services.

Guiding Questions

Neighbourhood segregation and disadvantage

  • What analysis exists of the different levels of violence, crime and social problems that arise in poorer communities compared to rich neighbourhoods?
  • Is there information on the residential pattern of ethnic minorities across segregated neighbourhoods and the impact of violence on different ethnic groups?
  • Is there evidence that neighbourhood disadvantage is accompanied by increased presence and membership of gangs, drug selling and violence?
  • Are these problems spreading and growing in intensity?
  • Is there research available on the nature and impact of gang membership?

Security and protection efforts: neighbourhood level

  • What is known about the allocation of police resources between neighbourhoods?
  • Is there evidence that affluent areas have better resourced police stations, more police officers and stronger crime reduction efforts?
  • How does the allocation of police resources compare to population size and crime trends?
  • Is there evidence that police carry out more aggressive policing strategies in poor neighbourhoods?
  • What government programmes are in place to address the multiple disadvantages at the root of violence in poor neighbourhoods?
  • Are there efforts to support education, skills, and access to jobs as well as efforts to upgrade the quality of housing and other local services and infrastructure?
  • Are there special (community, school-based or other) programmes targeted to prevent youth involvement in gangs and to support former gang members?

Security and protection for vulnerable groups at risk of violence

  • Is the prevalence of gender-based violence (including domestic violence) increasing or decreasing?
  • What analysis is available regarding the incidence of risk for different groups of women (women from low-income households, different ethnicities etc.)?
  • Is any information available to help compare the likely incidence of violence against women to the level or reporting and prosecution of the crimes?
  • Is violence against children properly documented in your country?
  • Is it increasing or decreasing?
  • What analysis is available regarding the incidence of risk for different groups of children (children from low-income households, different ethnicities, children with disabilities, children in institutions etc.)?

Indicators

Potential indicators to monitor the drivers of inequalities in this main driver category

  • % of urban households living in mixed-income neighbourhoods
  • Allocation of police resources (budget or staff) across neighbourhoods in major cities (by population size and/or crime trends)
  • Amount spent on private security firms (or employment by private security firms)
  • Amount spent on programmes to prevent gang violence; slum upgrading programmes
  • Amount spent on domestic violence prevention and support programmes (national and by region)
  • Amount spent on child protection (national and by region)
  • Ratio of social workers to population (national and by region)

Candidate Policies

To see related Candidate Policies in this main driver category please click here.