Young people’s lived experiences are being placed at the centre of an initiative aimed at developing a youth safety manual for South Africa through the Safebook Horizons project.

Natasha Petersen, of Favelas SA and member of the Fourways Main Reef Rotary Club, became involved in the project after learning about its vision to develop a practical youth safety manual that reflects the realities young people face. Favelas SA submitted a proposal to contribute to the initiative, with Petersen placing particular importance on ensuring young people themselves are part of developing the manual. “We conduct qualitative research with youth, create a safe space for them to share their experiences through focus groups, give them a voice on the challenges they face, and work alongside them,” she said.

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Being part of the project, she said, has gone beyond developing a manual. It aims to ensure young people are heard, represented and included in creating solutions that can contribute to safer communities. Petersen said the majority of young people have experienced one or more of the challenges addressed by the project, including peer violence, cyberbullying and discrimination. She values the initiative’s recognition that these are global challenges affecting young people worldwide, not only local issues.

The youth safety manual is important because it brings awareness, knowledge and tools that can help young people make wiser and safer decisions. “We want them to know we are listening,” she said. “Their voices matter, and they are not alone.”

Petersen said she is particularly excited about making Safebook Horizons relevant to young people in South Africa who may feel lost or lack access to the right information, support or practical tools.

Localising global solutions

Bringing the initiative to the country means adapting a global project to local community realities while ensuring young people feel heard, understood and empowered. Creative arts are also expected to play an important role in developing the manual, with photography and graphics providing young people with alternative ways to communicate their experiences, emotions and realities.

Petersen recently returned from Serbia after a week of training, where creative arts formed part of the course. “The end result was truly mind-blowing,” she said, noting that seeing what young people created through photography and graphics was brilliant, as they expressed themselves and showed their daily realities in ways words alone could not capture.

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Petersen also believes non-formal education creates a more relaxed and inclusive environment where young people feel comfortable participating, asking questions and sharing their perspectives. “There is no fear of giving the ‘wrong’ answer – their voices and experiences are part of the learning process.” She believes this makes creative approaches particularly effective. “We don’t just teach young people about safety, they are given a voice in shaping the conversation.”

She encouraged young people to speak up when something does not feel right and urged those who are approached for help to listen, support others without judgement and assist where they can. “Be that person who listens, supports and makes others feel safe. Together, we can create a community where looking out for one another becomes the norm.”

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