The Influence of Environmental Factors on Sexual Harm in Geelong Nightlife Venues: An Observational Study

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version

Version of Record (VoR)

Author(s)
Button, Kira
Coomber, Kerri
Taylor, Nicholas
de Andrade, Dominique
Quigg, Zara
Miller, Peter
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2025
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract

This exploratory study examines how modifiable venue characteristics relate to nightlife sexual harm. Researchers conducted 35 covert observations across 18 nightlife venues in Geelong, Victoria. Observers recorded venue lighting, decibel levels, crowding, and incidents of sexual harm. Sexual harm was observed in 37% of observations. LUX was an ineffective measure of lighting; however, observer-rated lighting showed a strong negative correlation with sexual harm, indicating that darker venues were associated with more incidents. Sexual harm correlated moderately with decibel levels and strongly with crowding. Venue design changes that enhance visibility and reduce crowding may improve patron safety and increase intervention opportunities.

Journal Title

Deviant Behavior

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© 2025 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Item Access Status
Note

This publication has been entered in Griffith Research Online as an advance online version.

Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Criminology

Sociology

Applied and developmental psychology

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Button, K; Coomber, K; Taylor, N; de Andrade, D; Quigg, Z; Miller, P, The Influence of Environmental Factors on Sexual Harm in Geelong Nightlife Venues: An Observational Study, Deviant Behavior, 2025

Collections