Turvallisuuskuva

Turvallisuuskuva is a Finnish term used in security and risk communication to describe the public-facing representation of safety in a given context. It denotes how safe a system, place, or activity is perceived by people, as well as the information and imagery used to communicate that safety to the public. The concept emphasizes the interaction between actual safety measures, statistical indicators, and societal perceptions.

The term is commonly used in policy-making, urban planning, and crisis communication to structure how safety risks are conveyed. A turvallisuuskuva typically includes components such as incident data, risk indicators, emergency preparedness, trust in authorities, and the transparency and clarity of communications. It may be presented through dashboards, public reports, media briefings, and educational campaigns to foster informed understanding and prudent behavior.

In practice, turvallisuuskuva serves both descriptive and normative roles: it describes the current safety situation as seen by the public and guides efforts to improve safety and communication. A key aim is to align perceived safety with actual risk, while avoiding alarmism or complacency. Challenges include balancing simplicity with accuracy, avoiding bias in media coverage, and maintaining credibility through consistent, evidence-based messaging.

See also risk communication; public safety; emergency management; safety culture.