The Psychological Cost of Fear

Safety is a prerequisite for prosperity, trust, and social interaction in any functioning society. Fear takes the place of the state's most fundamental promise, which is to protect law-abiding citizens. This fear is not a fleeting inconvenience or an abstract feeling in the Northern Territory. It is the everyday reality experienced by those who labour, construct, and contribute, the ordinary citizens compelled to maintain a constant state of alertness due to the failure of policies and the lack of effective deterrence.

Victimisation is now a common expectation rather than a statistical risk. Violent crimes, theft, vandalism, and break-ins have become so prevalent that they are factored into daily calculations. People reinforce fences, install security cameras, double-lock doors during the day, and change the way they travel. In addition to paying for salaries and rent, small businesses also account for insurance excesses, lost inventory, and the inevitable "shrinkage" that results from allowing lawlessness. In addition to teaching their kids road safety and etiquette, parents also teach them how to stay safe and deal with the fallout from being a target. This is most easily observed by taking a bus in any suburb of the NT.

The psychological cost is increasing and corrosive. Persistent anxiety is a natural reaction to being repeatedly threatened, not a sign of weakness. Previously reserved for people working in high-risk occupations or in conflict areas, hypervigilance is now the norm for Territory citizens whose only transgression is expecting a just return on their community investment.

The mind stops relaxing because it has been repeatedly violated. Optimism withers, tempers wane, and sleep becomes lighter, and suicide rates climb. The vital component of civil society, trust, evaporatively disappears.

This goes beyond "perception." Official statistics as well as the private calculations of security professionals, property managers, and insurers have validated the lived reality of crime. The police and state give platitudes about "community engagement" and "understanding root causes" because they are unable and unwilling to stop the tide. In the meantime, the elderly, shopkeepers, families, and employees who are least able to handle it bear the brunt of adaptation. People murdered whilst doing their jobs, and the judges bail the offenders.

Repercussions extend beyond personal discomfort. There is a decline in social capital. Instead of taking the chance of getting involved, neighbours retreat behind locked doors. As the risks of exposure outweigh the benefits, volunteerism and local involvement are declining. The lawless are emboldened by the obvious retreat of the honest, which feeds the cycle of predation and abandonment. Financial and emotional investment dwindles. Resignation or leaving takes the place of the sense of place, the conviction that one's efforts can create a better future.

This situation is not typical. It is the direct result of decisions made by officials, bureaucrats and policymakers who value narrative over impact. For those who should be the state's top priority, anxiety has become a permanent part of life due to the state's failure to uphold standards and provide effective protection.

The fabric of society breaks down when productive citizens are forced to invest time, money, and mental capacity in self-defence. The government willing to legalise OC Spray, and even discussing “Castle Law”, but unwilling to reform a corrupt, inept and incompetent activist judiciary that sends murderers, rapists and offenders back out on the streets and call police racist for defending themselves against attempted murder.

Restoring true safety is a fundamental duty, not a pipe dream. It starts with an honest acknowledgement that persistent anxiety and hypervigilance are predictable results of public neglect rather than personal shortcomings. Deterrence, enforcement, and the unreserved defence of those who contribute are the answers, not token gestures or meaningless initiatives. Until then, fear will continue to be the Northern Territory's primary indicator of policy failure rather than merely a side effect. From the author.

The opinions and statements are those of Sam Wilks and do not necessarily represent whom Sam Consults or contracts to. Sam Wilks is a skilled and experienced Security and Risk Consultant with 3 decades of expertise in the fields of Real estate, Security, and the hospitality/gaming industry. Sam has trained over 1,000 entry level security personnel, taught defensive tactics, weapons training and handcuffs to policing personnel and the public. His knowledge and practical experience have made him a valuable asset to many organisations looking to enhance their security measures and provide a safe and secure environment for their clients and staff.