Physical violence

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Statistics on experiences of physical assault, including victimisation rates, socio-demographics, incident characteristics and responses

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Reference period
2021-22 financial year
Released
23/08/2023
Next release Unknown
First release

Key statistics

In the most recent incident of physical assault by a male:

For women

  • 87% knew the perpetrator
  • 70% experienced the incident in a residential location
  • 63% experienced anxiety or fear

For men

  • 42% knew the perpetrator
  • 74% experienced the incident in a non-residential location

About this release

This release presents detailed physical violence statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey (PSS).

The survey collected information from persons aged 18 years and over about the nature and extent of their experiences of violence.

Summary statistics on all topics collected in the PSS can be found in Personal Safety, Australia.

The ABS would like to thank those who participated in the survey and acknowledges the experiences of people affected by physical violence who are represented in this report.

Some people may find the contents of this report confronting or distressing. Support services are available: 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732, Lifeline – 13 11 14.

COVID-19 context

The 2021-22 PSS was conducted between March 2021 and May 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout this time, government policies were in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including stay-at-home orders, border control measures, limits on gatherings, and social distancing rules. The survey results should be understood and interpreted within the broader context of the wide-ranging changes to everyday life during the pandemic.

Data quality and interpretation

In the written commentary, where a rate is described as higher or lower than a comparative rate, or one group is described as more or less likely to have had an experience than another group, the difference has been found to be statistically significant at the 95% confidence level.

Figures marked with an asterisk (*) have a relative standard error of between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution.

While the PSS collects the same information from both men and women, detailed socio-demographic data for men who experienced physical violence and men’s data about experiences of physical assault by a female are not sufficiently statistically reliable to include in the commentary.  Summary statistics for men are available in the data downloads.

For more information about statistical significance, relative standard error, and men’s data quality, refer to the Personal Safety, Australia Methodology.

Definition of physical violence

In the PSS, physical violence refers to the occurrence, attempt or threat of physical assault experienced since the age of 15. Physical violence is measured by combining experiences of physical assault and physical threat.

Physical assault

Any incident that involves the use of physical force, with the intent to harm or frighten a person. An assault may have occurred in conjunction with a robbery, and includes incidents that occurred on the job, where a person was assaulted in their line of work (e.g. assaulted while working as a security guard), at school, or overseas. Physical force includes:

  • Pushed, grabbed or shoved
  • Slapped
  • Kicked, bitten or hit with a fist
  • Hit with something else that could hurt
  • Beaten
  • Choked
  • Stabbed with a knife
  • Shot with a gun
  • Any other type of physical assault

Physical threat

Any verbal and/or physical intent (or suggestion of intent) to inflict physical harm, which was made face-to-face and which the person targeted believed was able and likely to be carried out. Physical threat includes:

  • Threaten or attempt to hit with a fist or anything else that could hurt
  • Threaten or attempt to stab with a knife
  • Threaten or attempt to shoot with a gun
  • Threaten or attempt to physically hurt in any other way

For more definitions of the terms used throughout the commentary, refer to the Glossary.

Prevalence rates

Prevalence rate refers to the number of men and women who have experienced physical violence within a specified time frame (e.g. since age 15, in the last 12 months), expressed as a percentage of all men and women aged 18 years and over.

An estimated 7 million people aged 18 years and over (36%) experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

42% of men (4.0 million) have experienced physical violence, including:

  • 34% (3.3 million) who experienced physical assault
  • 19% (1.8 million) who experienced physical threat

31% of women (3.1 million) have experienced physical violence, including:

  • 27% (2.7 million) who experienced physical assault
  • 11% (1.1 million) who experienced physical threat

Men were more likely than women to experience physical violence (both assault and threat).

Both men and women were more likely to experience physical assault than physical threat.

Whether experienced physical violence since the age of 15

Row 1: 9.9m women, 9.5m men in Australia. Row 2: 3.1m women (31%), 4m men (42%) experienced physical violence. Row 3: 2.7m women (27%), 3.3m men (34%) experienced physical assault. 1.1m women (11%) and 1.8m men (19%) experienced physical threat. Row 4: 2.4m women (24%), 3m men (31%) experienced physical assault by a male; and 703,800 women (7%), 1m men (11%) by a female; 950,400 women (10%) and 1.7m men (18%) experienced physical threat by a male; and 335,200 women (3.4%) and 253,000 men (2.7%) by a female.

The flow chart’s top level shows that there were 9.9 million women and 9.5 million men aged 18 years and over living in Australia in 2021-22.

The second level shows that 3.1 million women (31%) and 4 million men (42%) experienced physical violence since the age of 15. The second level also shows that 6.8 million women (69%) and 5.5 million men (58%) did not experience physical violence since the age of 15.

The third level shows that 2.7 million women (27%) and 3.3 million men (34%) experienced physical assault and  1.1 million women (11%) and 1.8 million men (19%) experienced physical threat since the age of 15.

The fourth level shows that, since the age of 15: 2.4 million women (24%) and 3 million men (31%) experienced physical assault by a male; 703,800 women (7%) and 1 million men (11%) experienced physical assault by a female; 950,400 women (10%) and 1.7 million men (18%) experienced physical threat by a male; and 335,200 women (3.4%) and 253,000 men (2.7%) experienced physical threat by a female.

Footnotes:

  1. Where a person has experienced both physical assault and physical threat, they are counted separately for each type of violence they experienced but are counted only once in the aggregated physical violence total.
  2. Where a person has experienced the type of violence by both a male and a female, they are counted separately for each but are counted only once in the aggregated total.

Prevalence rates by sex of perpetrator

Both women and men were more likely to experience physical violence since the age of 15 by a male than by a female.

For women:

  • 28% (2.8 million) experienced physical violence by a male
  • 9% (889,900) experienced physical violence by a female

For men:

  • 39% (3.7 million) experienced physical violence by a male
  • 12% (1.1 million) experienced physical violence by a female

Changes over time

12-month physical violence prevalence rates in 2021-22 have been compared with prevalence rates from earlier surveys (2016, 2012 and 2005) to measure changes over time.

Where the rate is described as having increased or decreased, this has been found to be statistically significant at the 95% confidence level.

In 2021-22, an estimated 6.1% of men (579,400) and 2.9% of women (283,400) experienced physical violence in the last 12 months. Men were more likely than women to have experienced physical violence in the previous 12 months.

Between 2005 and 2021-22, the 12-month prevalence rate of physical violence declined for both men and women:

  • Men – from 10% in 2005 to 6.1% in 2021-22
  • Women – from 4.7% in 2005 to 2.9% in 2021-22

Between the two most recent surveys, 2016 and 2021-22, there was no statistically significant change in the rate of physical violence for both men and women.

  1. Refers to the number of men/women who have experienced physical violence in the last 12 months, expressed as a percentage of all men/women aged 18 years and over.

Sex of perpetrator

For women, the decline in the rate of physical violence between 2005 and 2021-22 was driven by a decrease in physical violence by both male (from 3.7% to 2.5%) and female (from 1.6% to 0.9%) perpetrators.

For men, the decline was driven by a decrease in in physical violence rates by male perpetrators only (from 9.6% to 4.9%).

12-month physical violence prevalence rate(a), By sex of perpetrator, 2005 to 2021-22
 2005201220162021-22
Women
Physical violence by a male(c)3.7%(d)3.6%2.8%2.5%
Physical violence by a female(c)1.6%(d)1.4%1.1%0.9%
Total experienced physical violence(b)(c)4.7%(d)4.6%3.5%2.9%
Men
Physical violence by a male(c)9.6%(d)7.7%4.4%4.9%
Physical violence by a female1.3%1.4%1.9%*1.6%
Total experienced physical violence(b)(c)10.4%(d)8.5%5.4%6.1%
  1. Refers to the number of men/women who have experienced physical violence in the last 12 months, expressed as a percentage of all men/women aged 18 years and over.
  2. Where a person has experienced physical violence by both a male and a female, they are counted separately for each but are counted only once in the aggregated total.
  3. The difference in the prevalence rate between 2005 and 2021-22 is statistically significant.
  4. The difference in the prevalence rate between 2012 and 2021-22 is statistically significant.

* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.

Socio-demographic characteristics

This section compares two-year physical violence prevalence rates of women from different socio-demographic groups and identifies those who were more likely to have experienced physical violence. Two-year violence prevalence rates are used instead of 12-month rates to allow for additional analysis. The socio-demographic information reflects the person’s characteristics at time of survey, which may have changed since the violence occurred.

Some people may find the contents of this section confronting or distressing. Support services are available: 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732, Lifeline – 13 11 14, or Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline - 1800 497 212.

The 2021-22 PSS found an estimated 4.8% of women (474,900) experienced physical violence in the last two years.

Age

The physical violence prevalence rate declined with age, from 11% of women aged 18 to 24 years to 1.1% of women aged 65 years and over.

  1. Refers to the number of women in each age group who have experienced physical violence in the last two years, expressed as a percentage of all women in each age group.

Disability

Women with disability were more likely to have experienced physical violence (5.8%) than women without disability (4.2%).

Sexual orientation

Women who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or who used a different term such as asexual, pansexual or queer were more likely to have experienced physical violence (11%) than women who identified as heterosexual (4.4%).

While data for women who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or who used a different term have been combined into a single output category, experiences of physical violence may vary across each group.

Family composition

The prevalence of physical violence varied by family composition, with rates ranging from 2.9% for women living in a couple family with no children to 15% for women living in a one-parent family with children under 15 years of age.

  1. Refers to the number of women in the relevant population who have experienced physical violence in the last two years, expressed as a percentage of all women aged 18 years and over in the relevant population.
  2. Family has at least one child under the age of 15.
  3. Refers to a household consisting of two or more unrelated people where all persons are aged 15 years and over.
  4. Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
  5. Refers to families with children who are all dependent students aged between 15 and 24 years and/or non-dependent children.

Labour force status

Women who were unemployed were more likely to have experienced physical violence (15%) than women who were employed (5.3%) or not in the labour force (3.1%).

Current study status

The rate of physical violence was higher for women who were currently studying (11%) compared with women who were not currently studying (3.9%).

Housing - Tenure type

Women who were renting were more likely to have experienced physical violence (8.3%) than women who were a homeowner with a mortgage (4.6%) or without a mortgage (2.3%).

Capital city/balance of state

The rate of physical violence was similar for women living in a capital city (4.7%) and women living outside of a capital city (4.9%).

Financial stress

The rate of physical violence was higher for women living in households that:

  • experienced one or more cash flow problems in the last 12 months (14%) compared with households that did not experience cash flow problems (3.4%)
  • were unable to raise $2,000 within a week for something important (11%) compared with households that could raise the money (4.0%)

Women’s experiences of physical assault by a male

The 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey collected information from women aged 18 years and over about the characteristics of their most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred within the last 10 years.

When the incident occurred

An estimated 956,200 women experienced physical assault by a male in the last 10 years, of which 15% experienced their most recent incident in the last 12 months.

  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.

Relationship to perpetrator

In the most recent incident of physical assault by a male, the perpetrator was more likely to be someone the woman knew (87%) than a stranger (13%).

The perpetrator was most commonly an intimate partner (63%), including a cohabiting partner (50%), and boyfriend or date (12%).

  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
  2. Includes cohabiting partner, boyfriend or date, and ex-boyfriend.
  3. Includes father, son, brother or other male relative or in-law.
  4. Includes friend or housemate, acquaintance or neighbour, employer/manager/supervisor, co-worker, teacher/tutor, client/patient/customer, medical practitioner, priest/minister/rabbi/other spiritual advisor, carer or any other known person.

Assault behaviours, location and alcohol contribution

Assault behaviours

Common assault behaviours experienced by women in the most recent incident of physical assault by a male included:

  • being pushed, grabbed or shoved (71% or 675,300)
  • having something thrown at them (34% or 326,600)
  • being kicked, bitten or hit with a fist (21% or 202,000)
  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
  2. Multiple physical assault behaviours may have been experienced in the most recent incident.
  3. Includes stabbed, shot or any other type of physical assault.

Location of incident

An estimated 70% of women who experienced physical assault by a male experienced the most recent incident in a residential location.

Common locations where the incident occurred included:

  • their own home (53% or 510,600)
  • the home of the person responsible (11% or 108,400)
  • their workplace (10% or 96,100)
  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.

Contribution of alcohol or another substance

An estimated 43% of women who experienced physical assault by a male believed that alcohol or another substance contributed to the most recent incident.

Support-seeking and police reporting

Support-seeking

Nearly two in three women (63%) who experienced physical assault by a male sought advice or support about the most recent incident.

Women were more likely to seek support from an informal source (48%) than a formal source (34%).

Advice or support about the most recent incident was commonly sought from:

  • a friend or family member (45% or 427,600)
  • a counsellor or support worker (16% or 148,700)
  • an other (non-GP) health professional (14% or 133,300)
  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
  2. Support or advice may have been sought from more than one source.

Police contact

Around a quarter (24% or 233,400) of women who experienced physical assault by a male said the police were contacted about the most recent incident, including 20% (191,000) who contacted the police themselves and 4.7% who said the police were contacted by someone else.

Common reasons women provided for contacting the police themselves included:

  • to stop the incident or receive protection (66% or 125,600)
  • concern for their own safety or well-being (63% or 119,300)
  • fear of the person responsible (52% or 99,800)
  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
  2. More than one reason for contacting the police may have been provided.

Around two-fifths of women (41% or 95,700) who contacted the police said that the perpetrator was charged. Of women who said the perpetrator was charged by police, most (83%) said the perpetrator went to court as a result of the charges.

Three quarters of women (75% or 718,900) who experienced physical assault by a male did not report the most recent incident to police.

Common reasons women provided for not contacting the police included:

  • feeling they could deal with it themselves (35% or 248,700)
  • not regarding the incident as a serious offence (34% or 244,800)
  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
  2. More than one reason for not contacting the police may have been provided.
  3. Includes cultural/language reasons or another reason.

Perception of the incident as a crime

One-third of women (34%) who experienced physical assault by a male perceived the most recent incident as a crime at the time it occurred.

Over half of women (57% or 546,100) did not perceive the incident as a crime at the time, including:

  • 41% who perceived it as wrong but not a crime (389,500)
  • 16% who perceived it as something that just happens (148,100)
  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.

Of the 546,100 women who did not perceive the incident as a crime at the time, 44% (238,000) said that their perception of it had changed over time. The main reasons given by women for the change in perception included:

  • self-education (35% or 83,400)
  • friend, family or another person (25% or 59,400)
  • awareness campaign (13% or *31,300)

Impacts (anxiety or fear, time off work, injuries, changes to routine)

Anxiety or fear for personal safety

Almost two-thirds (63%) of women who experienced physical assault by a male experienced anxiety or fear for their personal safety in the 12 months after the most recent incident.

Time off work

One in seven women (13%) who experienced physical assault by a male took time off work in the 12 months after the most recent incident occurred.

  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.

Physical injuries

Half of women (49% or 463,300) who experienced physical assault by a male were physically injured in the most recent incident, with bruises being the most common physical injury received (45%).

Of the 463,300 women who were physically injured:

  • 18% consulted a doctor or other health professional about their injuries
  • 54% made one or more changes to their usual routine in the 12 months following the incident due to their injuries

Women who were physically injured reported changes to their usual routine relating to:

  • social and leisure activities (27% or 125,400)
  • sleeping habits (26% or 119,000)
  • eating habits (19% or 88,800)
  • building and maintaining relationships (19% or 86,000)
  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
  2. Respondents may have reported more than one change to their usual routine.

Women’s experiences of physical assault by a female

The 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey collected information from women aged 18 years and over about the characteristics of their most recent incident of physical assault by a female that occurred within the last 10 years.

When the incident occurred

An estimated 288,600 women experienced physical assault by a female in the last 10 years, of which 21% experienced their most recent incident in the last 12 months.

  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a female that occurred in the last 10 years.
  2. Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.

Relationship to perpetrator, assault behaviours, location and alcohol contribution

Relationship to perpetrator

In the most recent incident of physical assault by a female, the perpetrator was more likely to be someone the woman knew (81%).

Assault behaviours

Common assault behaviours experienced by women in the most recent incident of physical assault by a female included:

  • pushed, grabbed or shoved (61% or 175,600)
  • slapped (38% or 109,000)
  • kicked, bitten or hit with a fist (35% or 101,000)

Location of incident

Half (51%) of women who experienced physical assault by a female experienced the most recent incident in a residential location.

Common locations where the incident occurred included:

  • their own home (30% or 87,400)
  • their workplace (17% or 49,800)
  • the home of the person responsible (12% or 35,400)
  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a female that occurred in the last 10 years.

Contribution of alcohol or other substance

An estimated 43% of women who experienced physical assault by a female believed that alcohol or another substance contributed to the most recent incident.

Support seeking and police reporting

Support-seeking

Around half (54%) of women who experienced physical assault by a female sought advice or support about the most recent incident, most commonly from a friend or family member (34%).

Women were more likely to seek advice or support from an informal source (44%) than a formal source (26%).

Police contact

One-quarter (26% or 75,400) of women who experienced physical assault by a female said police were contacted about the most recent incident.

Of women who contacted the police, 39% said that the perpetrator was charged.

Three in four women (76% or 218,800) who experienced physical assault by a female did not report the most recent incident to police.

Common reasons for not contacting police included:

  • not regarding the incident as a serious offence (33% or 71,800)
  • feeling they could deal with it themselves (32% or 69,900)
  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a female that occurred in the last 10 years.
  2. More than one reason may have been provided for not contacting the police.
  3. Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.

Perception of the incident as a crime

Three in ten women (30%) who experienced physical assault by a female perceived the most recent incident as a crime at the time it occurred.

Most women (62% or 179,700) did not perceive the incident as a crime at the time, including:

  • 39% who perceived it as wrong but not a crime (111,600)
  • 22% who perceived it as something that just happens (62,500)
  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a female that occurred in the last 10 years.

Of the 179,700 women who did not perceive the incident to be a crime at the time, 28% said that their perception of it had changed over time.

Impacts (anxiety or fear, injuries)

Anxiety or fear for personal safety

An estimated 40% of women who experienced physical assault by a female experienced anxiety or fear for their personal safety in the 12 months after the most recent incident.

Physical injuries

Around half of women (52% or 150,600) who experienced physical assault by a female were physically injured in the most recent incident.

The most common injuries received were bruises (45%), scratches (25%) and cuts (11%).

Of the 150,600 women who were physically injured in the most recent incident, one-quarter (24%) consulted a doctor or other health professional about their injuries.

Men’s experiences of physical assault by a male

The 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey collected information from men aged 18 years and over about the characteristics of their most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred within the last 10 years.

When the incident occurred

An estimated 1.2 million men experienced physical assault by a male in the last 10 years, of which 27% experienced their most recent incident in the last 12 months.

  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.
  2. Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.

Relationship to perpetrator, assault behaviours, location and alcohol contribution

In men’s most recent incident of physical assault by a male:

  • the perpetrator was more often a stranger (57%) than a known person (42%)
  • being pushed, grabbed or shoved was the most common assault behaviour experienced (69%)
  • the majority (74%) of incidents occurred at a non-residential location, including at work, a place of entertainment or recreation, or outside
  • two-thirds (66%) believed that alcohol or another substance contributed to the incident

Support-seeking and police reporting

Support-seeking

Around half (52%) of men who experienced physical assault by a male sought advice or support about the most recent incident.

Men were about as likely to seek support from a formal source (34%) as an informal source (37%).

Police contact

An estimated 44% of men who experienced physical assault by a male said police were contacted about the most recent incident.

Perception of the incident as a crime

Half (49%) of men who experienced physical assault by a male perceived the most recent incident as a crime at the time it occurred.

  1. Refers to the most recent incident of physical assault by a male that occurred in the last 10 years.

Impacts (anxiety or fear, injuries)

In the most recent incident of physical assault by a male:

  • a quarter (28%) of men experienced anxiety or fear for their personal safety in the 12 months after the incident
  • 45% of men were physically injured, with bruises being the most common physical injury received (36%)

Glossary

Show all

Advice or support

‘Advice or support’ means listening to the respondent, being understanding, making suggestions, giving information, referring respondent to appropriate services, or offering further help of any kind. It includes contacting or visiting any source of help from a friend to a professional organisation, so long as the respondent perceived that they were seeking advice or support.

Anxiety or fear

Experiences of anxiety or fear can include constant worry, feeling nervous or jumpy, feeling scared or afraid, unable to calm down, feeling on edge, being panicked or distressed, and not being able to eat or sleep.

Boyfriend or date

This relationship may have different levels of commitment and involvement that does not involve living together. For example, this will include persons who have had one date only, regular dating with no sexual involvement, or a serious sexual or emotional relationship. Includes both current boyfriend and ex-boyfriend. Excludes de facto relationships.

Cohabiting partner

See Partner.

Disability

Any limitation, restriction or impairment which restricts everyday activities and has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least six months.

Family member

Includes parents/step-parents, children/step-children, siblings/step-siblings, and other relatives or in-laws.

Intimate partner

Includes current partner (living with), previous partner (has lived with), boyfriend or date, and ex-boyfriend (never lived with).

Other known person

Any other known person that does not fit into any of the intimate partner or family member categories. Includes:

  • Friend
  • Acquaintance/neighbour
  • Employer/manager/supervisor
  • Co-worker
  • Teacher/tutor
  • Client/patient/customer
  • Medical practitioner (e.g. doctor, psychologist, nurse, counsellor)
  • Priest/Minister/Rabbi/ or other spiritual advisor
  • Carer (includes non-family paid or unpaid helper)
  • Any other known person

Partner

Includes someone the person lives with, or lived with at some point, in a married or de facto relationship. This may also be described as a cohabiting partner.

Physical assault

Any incident that involves the use of physical force, with the intent to harm or frighten a person. An assault may have occurred in conjunction with a robbery, and includes incidents that occurred on the job, where a person was assaulted in their line of work (e.g. assaulted while working as a security guard), at school, or overseas. Physical force includes:

  • Pushed, grabbed or shoved
  • Slapped
  • Kicked, bitten or hit with a fist
  • Hit with something else that could hurt
  • Beaten
  • Choked
  • Stabbed with a knife
  • Shot with a gun
  • Any other type of physical assault

Physical assault excludes incidents that occurred during the course of play on a sporting field and incidents of physical assault that occurred before the age of 15 (these are defined as physical abuse).

Physical threat

Any verbal and/or physical intent (or suggestion of intent) to inflict physical harm, which was made face-to-face and which the person targeted believed was able and likely to be carried out. Physical threat includes:

  • Threaten or attempt to hit with a fist or anything else that could hurt
  • Threaten or attempt to stab with a knife
  • Threaten or attempt to shoot with a gun
  • Threaten or attempt to physically hurt in any other way

Physical threat excludes any incidents in which the threat was actually carried out (these are counted as physical assault), incidents that occurred during the course of play on a sporting field, and incidents that occurred before the age of 15.

Physical violence

The occurrence, attempt or threat of physical assault experienced since the age of 15.

Prevalence

Refers to the number and proportion (rate) of persons in a given population who have experienced physical violence within a specified time frame – usually in the last 12 or 24 months (prior to the survey) and since the age of 15.

Relationship to perpetrator

Relationship to perpetrator refers to the relationship of the perpetrator(s) to the person at the time of the interview, as perceived by the person who the physical violence was directed against.

Relative Standard Error

Relative Standard Error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a percentage of the estimate. For more information, refer to the Data processing section of the Personal Safety, Australia methodology.

Sexual orientation

Sexual orientation is an umbrella concept that encapsulates:

  • sexual identity (how a person thinks of their sexuality and the terms they identify with)
  • attraction (romantic or sexual interest in another person)
  • behaviour (sexual behaviour)

Responses to a sexual orientation question are a subjective view of oneself and can change over the course of a person's lifetime and in different contexts. An individual could respond differently to questions on either sexual identity, attraction or behaviour.

Data downloads

Physical violence prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics (Tables 1 to 5)

National physical violence prevalence, time series and socio-demographic characteristic statistics for men and women.

Data files
Download xlsx [158.04 KB]

Women’s experiences of physical assault by a male (Tables 6 to 11)

Characteristics of the most recent incident of physical assault by a male, including relationship to perpetrator, location and support seeking behaviours.

Data files
Download xlsx [104.64 KB]

Women’s experiences of physical assault by a female (Tables 12 to 15)

Characteristics of the most recent incident of physical assault by a female, including relationship to perpetrator, location and support seeking behaviours.

Data files
Download xlsx [83.24 KB]

Men’s experiences of physical assault by a male (Tables 16 to 18)

Characteristics of the most recent incident of physical assault by a male, including relationship to perpetrator, location and support seeking behaviours.

Data files
Download xlsx [74.7 KB]

All data downloads

All Physical violence data download files.

Data files
Download zip [340.92 KB]

Methodology

Personal Safety, Australia methodology, 2021-22 financial year

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