One in four Aussies do not trust women’s sexual assault claims

A shocking statistic about sexual violence has left women’s safety experts reeling.

Almost half of Australians say they do not trust women’s allegations of sexual violence, according to a shocking report from the country’s peak women's safety organisation.

Speaking at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Australia National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety head Sam Mostyn said Aussie’s mistrust of women‘s’ disclosures was not reflected by the real-life incidence of false sexual assault claims.

“Insights from the national community attitudes towards violence against women survey reveals as many as four in 10 Australians mistrust women‘s report of sexual violence – four in 10 or 40 per cent of the Australian population,” Ms Mostyn said.

“This is despite the fact that false allegations of sexual assault are extremely rare.”

The sizeable body of research on sexual assault allegations estimate that somewhere between 2 per cent and 7 per cent of assault claims are false.

Ms Mostyn slammed the prevalence of mistrust in women’s disclosures in Australia, stating there was an “appalling level of sexual harassment and assault in this so-called Lucky Country.”

“Domestic violence is a sure pathway to the often desperate levels of financial stress among Australian women,” she said.

ANROWS head Sam Mostyn said 40 per cent of Aussie’s reported that they did not trust women's’ sexual assault claims. Britta Campion / The Australian

Ms Mostyn’s frustration comes as the Labor party pitches itself as a champion of combatting domestic violence.

If elected, Labor says it will create a powerful new role to advocate for domestic violence victims under their new election pitch.

The hundreds of new positions would cost $153.4 million over four years and include case workers to help women set up new lives after fleeing domestic violence. 500 extra community sector worker positions would be created to help women in crisis.

The roles would also be made up of financial counsellors to help women escape debt their abuser has run up in their name and support workers to sit with children and help them work through their experiences.

Half of the roles would be based in rural and regional communities.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese will also announce a plan to create a family, domestic and sexual violence commissioner on Wednesday.

Labor has promised $153.4 million for 500 new support workers.

The commissioner, whose position would be paid for out of departmental costs, would work with states and territories to oversee Australia’s response to the scourge of domestic violence.

Currently one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner.

Mr Albanese said the commissioner would ensure resources were invested where needed across the country and also write a yearly report for accountability and transparency.

“Across the country domestic violence organisations tell us how much more they could do with an extra pair of hands,” Mr Albanese said.

“Over the past eight years, Coalition governments have failed to take this task seriously.

“Not enough workers are funded.

Anthony Albanese said it was time to make women’s safety a national priority. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“It’s past time to stop talking about it – and elevate women’s safety to a national priority.”

Currently, police are called to a domestic violence incident every two minutes in Australia.

Labor has already promised to invest $100 million in crisis accommodation and build 4000 homes for women and children fleeing violence, along with older women on low incomes who risk homelessness.

Last year the Coalition committed an initial $150 million to support Australians experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence due to the fallout from the coronavirus.