These statistics show that many young people are exposed to domestic violence, and experience child abuse, harassment and family violence. This has an impact on their social well-being and mental health.
Young people have an important role to play in breaking cycles of violence. By challenging the sexist attitudes and behaviours of young people, and promoting respectful relationships, we can stop the violence before it starts.
1 in 6 women experienced abuse before the age of fifteen.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2017). Personal Safety Survey 2016. ABS cat. no. 4906.0. Canberra: ABS. Retrieved from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4906.0
Children of mothers experiencing domestic violence have higher rates of social and emotional problems than other children.
Shin H., Rogers H. & Law V. (2015). Domestic violence in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Canberra: Department of Social Services.
1 in 4 young people think it’s pretty normal for guys to pressure girls into sex.
Website: Hall and Partners Open Mind. (2015). The Line campaign. Summary of Research Findings. Melbourne: Our Watch.
1 in 5 students have been sexually harassed in a university setting.
Australian Human Rights Commission. (2017). Change The Course: National Report on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at Australian Universities. Sydney: AHRC. Retrieved from: http://bit.ly/2tSAdgV
1 in 3 women aged 18-24 have experienced sexual harassment.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2017). Personal Safety, Australia, 2016 cat. no. 4906.0. Canberra: ABS. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/2xqbuUn
1 in 3 young people don’t think controlling someone is a form of violence.
Hall and Partners Open Mind. (2015). The Line campaign. Summary of Research Findings. Melbourne: Our Watch. Retrieved from: https://www.ourwatch.org.au/Media-Resources?c=TheLine
1 in 4 young people don’t think it’s serious when guys insult or verbally harass girls in the street.
Hall and Partners Open Mind. (2015). The Line campaign. Summary of Research Findings. Melbourne: Our Watch. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/2Cd1O5c
1 in 3 young people presenting alone to homelessness services have experienced domestic violence.
Source: AIHW (2018). Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report 2016-17. Retrieved from: https://bit.ly/2RHwr6h