Leslie Massey
Violence in Australia is a pressing issue, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence, which is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children. It is also a significant driver of homelessness for men. Violence against women is a problem of epidemic proportions, with 2 in 5 women experiencing violence since the age of 15. Men are more likely to perpetrate physical violence, sexual harassment, and sexual violence, and women are more likely to experience violence from someone they know. The prevalence of violence in Australia is highlighted by statistics, such as the increase in sexual assault victims in Western Australia in 2023, and the fact that almost two in five homicide and related offences were family and domestic violence-related in 2023.
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![Domestic and sexual violence data collection : a report to Congress under the Violence Against Women Act / Justice Research and Statistics Association. 1996 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Violence against women
Recent statistics highlight the extent of the problem:
- One in three women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
- One in five women has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
- One in two women has experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime.
- Women are three times more likely than men to experience violence by an intimate partner.
- One in two women has experienced technology-facilitated abuse in her lifetime.
- On average, one woman is killed every nine days by a current or former partner.
- In the year 2021-22, 4,620 women aged 15 and above (an average of 13 women per day) were hospitalised due to family and domestic violence.
- 39% of women have experienced violence since the age of 15.
- Men are more commonly the perpetrators of physical violence, sexual harassment, and sexual violence.
- Women are more likely to experience violence from someone they know than from a stranger (35% vs. 11%).
Domestic and family violence is a significant driver of homelessness among women in Australia. It includes not only physical violence but also controlling, humiliating, and frightening behaviours. Many incidents go unreported, and the true extent of the problem may be much worse than what is currently understood.
Certain groups of women are particularly vulnerable to specific forms of violence. For example, lesbian, bisexual, and queer women experience higher rates of sexual violence than heterosexual women. Transgender and gender-diverse individuals also face very high rates of family, domestic, and sexual violence. Young women aged 18-34 experience significantly higher rates of physical and sexual violence than older women. Women from migrant and refugee backgrounds are vulnerable to financial abuse, reproductive coercion, and immigration-related violence. Additionally, First Nations women are more likely to be hospitalised and face a higher risk of death from assault related to family violence than non-Indigenous women.
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Domestic and family violence
In Australia, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 16 men have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner. 75% of victims of domestic violence reported the perpetrator as male, while 25% reported a female perpetrator. In 2021-22, 4,620 women aged 15 and over (an average of 13 women per day) were hospitalised due to family and domestic violence. 39% of women have experienced violence since the age of 15, and 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Women are more likely to experience violence from someone they know than from a stranger (35% vs 11%).
Young women (aged 18-34) experience significantly higher rates of physical and sexual violence than older women. Lesbian, bisexual, and queer women experience higher rates of sexual violence than heterosexual women. Transgender and gender diverse people also experience very high rates of family, domestic, and sexual violence. Women from migrant and refugee backgrounds are particularly vulnerable to financial abuse, reproductive coercion, and immigration-related violence.
Indigenous people are 32 times more likely to be hospitalised for family violence than non-Indigenous people. In 2017, the majority of Indigenous assault victims recorded by police were victims of family violence, ranging from 64% in New South Wales to 74% in the Northern Territory. First Nations women accounted for more than 35% of all hospitalisations for family violence in 2016-17, with most specifying a spouse or domestic partner as the perpetrator (62%).
People with disabilities are more likely to experience physical and/or sexual violence from a partner. In 2016, 1.8% of people with disabilities experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a cohabiting partner, compared to 1.1% of people without disabilities. Women with disabilities are almost 40% more likely to experience family violence than women without disabilities.
Family violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in Australia. It is also a significant driver of homelessness for men. In 2019-20, 41% of clients of Specialist Homelessness Services had experienced family and domestic violence.
While violence against women is a serious issue in Australia, there is evidence that the situation is improving. The prevalence of violence against women has decreased over the past decade, and attitudes towards the issue are becoming more positive.
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Violence against Indigenous people
A 2001 study by Jenny Mouzos, using data from 1 July 1989 to 30 June 2000, showed that 15.7% of homicide offenders and 15.1% of homicide victims were Indigenous, while census statistics showed the rate of indigeneity of the population at around 2% in 2000. This indicates a disproportionately high rate of violent crime in Indigenous communities, particularly in remote and rural regions. Age-standardised figures from 2002 further highlight this disparity, with 20% of Indigenous people experiencing physical or threatened violence in the previous 12 months, compared to 9% of non-Indigenous people.
Indigenous people also face higher rates of hospitalisation due to family violence. In 2017, the majority of Indigenous assault victims recorded by police were victims of family violence, ranging from 64% in New South Wales to 74% in the Northern Territory. Furthermore, Indigenous women experience high rates of intimate partner violence, with 15% reporting violence by a previous partner, and children are often witnesses to this violence.
There is also a concerning history of Aboriginal deaths in custody in Australia, sparking protests and highlighting structural issues within Australian society. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody investigated 99 Aboriginal deaths and made 339 recommendations, yet no criminal charges were brought forward. This has led to a lack of trust in the justice system among Indigenous communities, with fears of not being believed or taken seriously by authorities.
While there are complex underlying issues contributing to violence in Indigenous communities, such as alcohol and substance use, these issues are often exacerbated by socioeconomic disadvantages, including dispossession, cultural fragmentation, marginalisation, unemployment, and poverty.
It is important to recognise that violence against Indigenous people in Australia is a serious issue that requires collective efforts to address and prevent.
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Violence against people with disabilities
Women with disabilities are particularly vulnerable, facing a higher risk of violence and abuse than women without disabilities. They are also less likely to know how to access support services. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) 2021–22 Personal Safety Survey (PSS), 5.8% of women aged 18 and over with disabilities experienced physical violence in the last two years, compared to 4.2% of women without disabilities. Additionally, 4.0% of women with disabilities experienced sexual violence in the same period, compared to 2.5% of women without disabilities. The most commonly reported forms of violence experienced by women with disabilities include psychological, physical, sexual abuse, controlling behaviour, and economic abuse.
People with disabilities who are victims of violence may require access to specialised support services. Organisations such as Safe Steps and the Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria (SACL) offer 24-hour assistance, providing safe housing, outreach, information, advocacy, and counselling. The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline can also help individuals find the best way to deal with issues and refer them to appropriate services.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government responses have affected data collection for the PSS, resulting in postponements and adjustments to survey content and sample sizes. Despite these challenges, the PSS continues to provide valuable insights into the experiences of people with disabilities regarding violence and abuse.
While violence against people with disabilities is a concerning issue in Australia, there is a lack of comprehensive data on its prevalence. Further research and population-based estimates are needed to fully understand the scope of the problem and develop effective policies and interventions to protect this vulnerable group.
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Elder abuse
Violence against women in Australia is a problem of epidemic proportions, with 2 in 5 women experiencing violence since the age of 15. Domestic and family violence are disturbingly common, with 1 in 6 women experiencing physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner. In 2018-19, 35 women were killed by an intimate partner. While violence against women is prevalent, it is preventable, and Australia has seen a decline in violence against women over the past decade.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies conducted the National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study, which found that almost one in six older Australians reported experiencing abuse in the last 12 months. However, only about one-third of those victims sought help. This study also highlighted the need to strengthen responses to elder abuse and develop a National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians.
The Australian Government is committed to preventing and responding to elder abuse. They have established a national helpline, 1800 ELDERHelp, to provide support and information to older people experiencing abuse. Additionally, the government has funded specialist elder abuse services and is working to increase community awareness and understanding of elder abuse.
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