One in five victorians don't feel safe at home, new RACV research shows

One in five Victorians say they don’t feel safe in their own home, while a third feel less safe than they did 12 months ago, according to new research from RACV’s Home Safety Pulse.

The findings highlight a growing sense of unease among households across Victoria, driven largely by concerns about crime and what people are seeing and hearing in their local communities.

While most Victorians still report feeling safe at home, the research shows a material shift in perceptions, with a significant minority feeling increasingly unsettled.

RACV General Manager Corporate Affairs Liz Carey said feeling safe at home is fundamental to wellbeing and quality of life.

“Home should be a place where people feel secure and at ease, but this research shows that for many Victorians, that sense of safety is being eroded,” Ms Carey said.

“Importantly, this isn’t just about personal experience. Perceptions of safety are shaped by what people see happening around them, what they hear from neighbours, and the broader public conversation about crime.”

Among Victorians who said they feel less safe at home compared to 12 months ago, the research found:

• 94 per cent attributed this to crime increasing
• 32 per cent said it was linked to a neighbour experiencing a crime
• 14 per cent said it was due to their own personal experience of crime

“These findings show that even when people haven’t been directly affected, concerns about crime in their community can still have a powerful impact on how safe they feel at home,” Ms Carey said.

“Home burglary offences were down by 7 per cent in the latest crime rates from Victoria’s Crime Statistic Agency. However, it’s important to view the trend over a longer period. Home burglary rates are still higher than they were two years ago”.

The Home Safety Pulse also found that perceptions of safety vary across different household types and locations, reinforcing that safety is deeply personal and influenced by context.

“People’s sense of safety goes beyond crime statistics. It’s about confidence in your home, trust in your community, and feeling supported by practical measures that help reduce risk,” Ms Carey said.

“While we need to acknowledge these concerns, it’s also important to focus on what helps people feel safer – whether that’s practical home security, strong neighbourhood connections, or thoughtful policy that supports prevention.”

RACV will share the findings of the Home Safety Pulse with the Victorian Government and key stakeholders to inform ongoing advocacy for safer homes and stronger communities across the state.