The number of victim-survivors of sexual assault recorded by police rose by 11 per cent in 2023, the 12th straight annual rise, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said that that more than 30,000 women and girls reported sexual assaults to police in 2023, but the data does not capture the scale, or the full story of violence.
“This number is shocking but sadly represents just the tip of the iceberg as less than one in 10 women report their experience of sexual violence to police.
“Similarly, just 20% of women experiencing family violence from a current partner have reported it to police.
“We know that women are reluctant to report incidents because of fear of not being believed or being blamed by friends, family or police, and being misidentified as the perpetrator.
“As public and police attitudes change and systemic barriers are removed, we expect to see a continued growth in women reporting sexual and intimate partner violence to police, and seeking support from services,” she said.
Ms Kinnersly also said it was extremely concerning to see a return to pre-COVID levels of the number of women killed in violence.
“Violence against women and their children is not inevitable. We must continue to work across all areas of Australia to change the systems and attitudes that stand in the way of stopping this violence,” she said.
Note: Some of the increase can be attributed to post-COVID population growth. The overall murder victimisation rate for women killed in violence has reduced from 1.0 per 100,000 in 2010 to 0.6 per 100,000 in 2023.
Please contact media@ourwatch.org.au or call 0448 844 930.
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1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
To access guides for reporting about violence against women and their children, visit www.ourwatch.org.au/media-and-reporting
Our Watch is a national leader in Australia’s work to stop violence against women and their children before it starts. The organisation was created to drive nation-wide change in the practices, norms, and structures that lead to violence against women and children.