Rationale:
A literature review revealed public concern at the state of toilets in NSW schools and the evidence of sustained vandalism and graffiti

Aims:

• To investigate the causes of graffiti and vandalism
• To investigate successful strategies around the world to used to prevent graffiti and vandalism

Methodology:

• Comparative study of two Sydney girls’ schools, one private, one public
• Literature review, school visits, photographs, interviews

• The study revealed vastly different levels of graffiti and vandalism between the schools
• Disparity of funding for maintenance and cleaning was raised by all stakeholders as a major issue
• The vast majority of students surveyed objected to the vandalism and had enthusiastic and realistic solutions - suggesting that more funding is not the only solution
• Inexpensive solutions might be parents’ working bees, empowering students to decorate and maintain toilets and more thoughtful initial design
• Some of the problems of graffiti may be solved by allowing other avenues for anonymous public expression