turvallisuudentunnetta

Turvallisuudentunnetta, often translated as the sense of security, is the subjective feeling that one is safe from physical harm, crime, or threat in a given environment. It encompasses perceived vulnerability and the confidence that protective factors or institutions will respond to danger. The term is used primarily in Finnish criminology, sociology, and urban planning, and is frequently examined in comparative studies of perceived safety across communities.

Researchers measure turvallisuudentunnetta with survey questions about feeling safe at home, in the neighbourhood, on streets at night, and during routine activities. Scales may capture how secure people feel, their perceived risk of crime, and their trust in authorities. While it aligns with the concept of perceived safety, it is not identical to actual crime rates; two areas with similar crime statistics can have different levels of turvallisuudentunne due to social or environmental factors.

Determinants include individual characteristics (age, gender, prior victimization), situational cues (time of day, familiarity), physical environment (lighting, visibility, defensible space), and social environment (neighbourhood cohesion, social capital, trust in police).

In practice, turvallisuudentunnetta informs urban design and public policy: better street lighting, clear sightlines, community policing, and involvement of residents can improve perceived safety. The concept also intersects with mental health and well-being, since a chronic low sense of security can affect daily functioning and quality of life. Related concepts include perceived safety, fear of crime, and place attachment.