Building safer futures: how our programs prevent antisocial behaviour

Antisocial behaviours like aggression, truancy, and substance use don’t appear overnight, they develop over time as children move through primary school into adolescence, shaped by home, school, and neighbourhood environments. Nationally, Australian data show that around one in five adolescents aged 11–17 have experienced high to very high psychological distress in the past year, with rates higher for girls than boys, underscoring the pressure many young people are under. A recent review of programs for 8–12-year-olds shows that early, sustained support in these settings can reduce risky behaviours and strengthen children’s social skills, emotional regulation, and engagement in school. At a national level, these early interventions contribute to broader Australian priorities around reducing youth crime, improving educational outcomes, and closing the gap in health and wellbeing for children in disadvantaged communities.

Crime prevention and health promotion go hand in hand

The evidence highlights that crime prevention and health promotion are deeply connected. Crime-focused programs work by improving relationships, mentoring, and self-regulation, while health promotion initiatives, such as breakfast clubs, physical activity, sexual health, and mental wellbeing programs, improve concentration, prosocial behaviour, and school attendance. Recent national youth surveys show that a majority of young people believe alcohol (around 55%) and drugs (around 64%) are a problem in Australia, and many say these issues affect their families and friends directly. When prevention and health promotion approaches are combined, particularly in communities experiencing socio-economic disadvantage, they offer more lasting benefits for both children and their communities and align with national strategies that emphasise prevention, early intervention, and place-based responses to complex social issues.

How Healthy Cities programs support children

Healthy Cities Australia currently delivers programs that align closely with this evidence, including Active Holidays and Active In-Betweens, which provide structured, fun, and active opportunities for children in the after-school and holiday periods. Over time, Healthy Cities has also designed and delivered other school and community-based initiatives, such as safe travel, food and nutrition, and youth leadership activities, that reflect the same principles highlighted in the research, even when they are not running every year. Together, this body of work builds the protective factors, connection, safety, physical activity, supportive adults, and positive peer relationships, that reduce the space for antisocial behaviour to develop and contribute to the wider Australian goal of creating healthier, fairer and more inclusive communities for children.

Partnering to build safer, healthier communities

Looking ahead, the research reinforces the importance of sustained, place-based partnerships between schools, community organisations, and local government to create environments where children can thrive. By continuing to co-design programs with children, families, educators, and service providers, Healthy Cities can keep refining activities so they are accessible, culturally safe, and responsive to emerging local needs. This means not only delivering programs, but also sharing learnings and advocating for broader policy changes that tackle the structural drivers of disadvantage, echoing Australia-wide efforts to address poverty, housing, and service access as foundations for safer communities.

Get involved with Healthy Cities Australia

If you are a parent, educator, or local service interested in supporting children’s wellbeing and preventing antisocial behaviour, we invite you to explore our current programs and resources and consider partnering with us by contacting us at admin@healthycities.org.au