New data shows shocking rates of physical partner violence in Australia

Shocking new data has painted a disturbing picture of the prevalence of partner violence and abuse between men and women in Australia.

One in five Australian adults has experienced violence, emotional abuse or economic abuse by a partner, according to new statistics.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its latest personal safety data on Wednesday, showing an estimated 4.2 million adults have been exposed to abuse or violence by a partner since the age of 15.

An estimated 27 per cent, or 2.7 million women, experienced partner violence or abuse, compared to 15 per cent of men.

The data shows financial pressure has become an increasingly significant predictor of household violence nationwide, with women who experience cash flow problems at a three times higher risk of experiencing partner violence or abuse.

Women renting a flat or a house were more likely than women who owned a home to experience violence, emotional abuse and economic abuse at the hands of a partner.

The federal government has committed a total of $2.3bn towards implementing its National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. Picture: Gary Ramage/NCA NewsWire.

The survey found an estimated 16 per cent of women have experienced economic abuse compared to 7.8 per cent of men.

Women aged 35 to 54 years were found to be more likely to have experienced emotional abuse and economic abuse in the previous two years than women in other age groups, according to figures.

An estimated 791,100 women who experienced violence by a previous partner while living together were pregnant at some point during the relationship.

Of these women, 42 per cent experienced violence during their pregnancy, including 17 per cent who experienced violence for the first time during their pregnancy.

The survey’s release came after at least six women were killed in Australia, allegedly by intimate partners or people they knew, at the end of October this year.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth launched the first action plan under the government’s national strategy to end violence against women and children in August, which included a reduction target of 25 per cent for female victims of intimate partner homicide.