One in three Australian women will experience violence in an intimate relationship.
This isn't about strangers. It's deeply personal, and it's happening to people we know and care about.
Violence against women is one of the most widespread human rights abuses in Australia and around the world.
Violence against women covers many forms of violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects a woman, disproportionately compared with a man.
There are many kinds of and names for violence against women. Here are some:
- Domestic violence or family violence
- Sexual violence, sexual assault or rape
- Sexual harassment
- Child abuse, paedophilia, incest
- Homophobic violence, lesbian bashing.
| Affected by violence over 15 | 57% | 5.1 million |
| Been physically assaulted | 48% | 4.3 million |
| Been sexually assaulted | 34% | 3 million |
| Experienced violence by a current or previous partner | 16% | 1.4 million |
| Experienced sexual harassment in their workplace | 20% | 1.5 million |
| Experienced inappropriate comments about their body or sex life | 33% | 3 million |
| Experienced unwanted sexual touching | 25% | 2.2 million |
Source: Australian Institute of Criminology, 'International Violence Against Women Survey: Australian Component' (2004); Australian Human Rights Commission, 'Sexual Harassment: Serious Business' (2008).
If you are experiencing violence, contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT or click here to visit their website.
Over 1.2 million Australian women have experienced violence at the hands of a current or former partner since the age of 15.
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