Wishing you a safe holiday season. The APS closes at 5:15pm on Tuesday 23 DEC 2025 and re-opens 9am Monday 5 JAN 2026.

Loading

Australian Psychology Society This browser is not supported. Please upgrade your browser.

Creating stronger communities

People's fears of community violence, and even violent extremism and terrorism, have risen despite relatively low levels of threat of these forms of violence in Australia.

Psychological science can help people deal with their fears of community violence and build social cohesion in their communities. the more that people feel connected and that they matter and belong in our communities, the happier and safer we all become.

This handbook outlines eight strategies which may help people to create happy and safe communities. These strategies are drawn from extensive research across a range of areas that psychologists work in.

Access handbook