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The statistics are alarming. Violence against women is a national tragedy.
What we know about violence against women
The statistics on violence against women in Australia are shocking. Violence against women is an issue that not only affects the victim themselves but also their children. Growing up with violence can have a profound impact on a child’s capacity to learn, future relationships, health, emotional wellbeing and engagement in work and community life.
Along with the tragic impact that violence has on the individual lives of women and their children, it also has community and economy-wide impacts. Violence against women and their children is estimated to cost the Australian economy $13.6 billion each year. If the issue is not addressed, this cost is estimated to rise to $15.6 billion by 2022.
The 2012 Personal Safety Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that since the age of 15:
- 1 in 3 Australian women has experienced physical violence.
- 1 in 5 Australian women has experienced sexual violence.
- 1 in 6 Australian women has experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner.
- 1 in 4 Australian women has experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner.
- Australian women are most likely to experience physical and sexual violence in their home, at the hands of a male current or ex-partner.
- Of women who had experienced violence from an ex-partner, 61 per cent had children in their care when the violence occurred.
A 2013 Australian Institute of Criminology report shows that one woman is killed every week in Australia by a current or former partner. The community is concerned that this figure appears to be rising.
We also know that Indigenous women are 34 times more likely than non-Indigenous females to be hospitalised due to family violence.
The Commonwealth Government funds two national surveys under the National Plan that measure the prevalence of violence against women in Australia as well as community attitudes and behaviours around violence against women. Key statistics arising from these surveys are publically available:
- The Personal Safety Survey presents information on people’s experiences of violence to help understand the nature and extent of violence in Australia.
- The National Community Attitudes towards Violence Against Women Survey looks at attitudes held about violence against women so that we can try to understand the factors leading to violence in Australia.
A useful data infographic, produced by ANROWS, provides an overview of key statistics on violence against women.
Visit our Research page for links to key research and publications relating to violence against women.