Study reveals factors for men's violence against women
A longitudinal study conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) surveyed men and boys in 2013/14 and again in 2022 for critical insights into factors influencing the use of violence.
The research has produced the first national estimate of male intimate partner violence perpetration, with the 2022 study finding more than one-in-three Australian men aged 18 to 65 have used intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
This is up from one-in-four men who reported ever having used intimate partner violence among the same cohort surveyed in 2014.
The latest study also found an estimated 120,000 men nationally were starting to use violence for the first time each year.
Emotional-type abuse was the most common form of intimate partner violence, with 32 per cent of men in 2022 reporting they had ever made an intimate partner feel "frightened or anxious".
Meanwhile, nine per cent reported ever "hitting, slapping, kicking or otherwise physically hurting" an intimate partner when they were angry.
Mental health and quality relationships with their fathers were found to have an impact on men's use of violence. Men with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were 62 per cent more likely to use intimate partner violence.
The correlation between depression and violence did not mean one caused the other but it was important to be aware of the impact of mental health, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin said.
"This sort of data gives us really good evidence on how to target interventions and investment," she told AAP.
"It tells us that we need to be aware of the prevalence and the number of men using violence, and recognise that if someone is talking to a GP about their mental health for example, it's worth asking those extra questions about their use of violence."
Men who felt strongly that they had a quality relationship with a father or father figure during childhood, marked with affection, were 48 per cent less likely to report ever having used intimate partner violence.
Ms Cronin said paternal relationships where boys could talk about their feelings with their fathers appeared to be a protective factor against using violence later in life.
The longitudinal data provided a set of risk factors to help develop effective policies and programs for young men, report co-author Sean Martin said.
"Understanding the risk factors to these behaviours is critical," he said.
Newly appointed Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the research was concerning but not surprising.
"To end domestic and family violence we need to invest in the frontline services that help people and keep them safe, but we also need to stop the behaviours that lead to it," she said.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Could we vaccinate wild populations against the looming bird flu catastrophe?
Broadscale vaccinations of birds in the wild was not considered appropriate, feasible or practicable, he added. For BirdLife Australia chief executive Kate Millar, Australia's preparation for the bird flu juggernaut, which has hit every other continent on the globe, is frustrating. The Australian government has allocated more than $100 million to the fight against bird flu, but Millar contends it is moving too slowly to enact defences ahead of the virus landing in Australia. Not only is the vaccination program still in its testing phase, it is still not confirmed that vaccination will even take place. 'Where are the practical, concrete outcomes, other than meetings and PowerPoint presentations?' Millar said. Loading 'You know, it feels more like a stakeholder management exercise than a true preparedness for a major biosecurity issue that's going to impact conservation and agriculture and potentially human health.' With strict biosecurity controls on Australia's land borders, the most likely way H5N1 will arrive in Australia is on the wing of wild migratory birds. This could happen through two scenarios: from the north, carried by migratory seabirds taking the East-Asia Australia Flyway south for spring, or from the south by birds migrating north from Antarctica. Ornithologist, mammalogist and herpetologist Professor John Woinarski said: 'I think we've been lucky to date [but] that luck will run out in the very near future. 'We've had a golden opportunity to prepare and to strategically consider what actions we need to do. And to an extent we've needed that opportunity because things haven't been moving fast in terms of the response.' Woinarski is most concerned about the spread of H5N1 from the south. Last year the virus travelled 7000 kilometres from the South Georgia Islands to the sub-Antarctic island of Kerguelen, where it was recorded in November. Woinarski said that from Kerguelen, the virus could easily jump to Heard and McDonald islands, and then to the mainland via Macquarie Island – 'probably within the next couple of months, I'd guess'. 'It's been hanging like a sword of Damocles over our heads for a couple of years, but I think that thread is going to break very imminently, and we'll be forced to deal with it responsively, rather than as proactively as we might have hoped.' Invasive Species Council policy director Carol Booth said H5N1 could have 'catastrophic' impacts on Australian wildlife. 'With so many Australian species already edging towards extinction, we await the arrival of H5 bird flu with great trepidation,' she said. 'We are on tenterhooks – will bird flu arrive this spring, the time of greatest risk? The annual migration of millions of shorebirds from the northern hemisphere is a wonderful event but could bring catastrophe.' The H5N1 vaccine in Australia is the same version authorities used to vaccinate rescued condors in the United States. In February, the government approved its use as an 'emergency vaccination' for rare, protected and valuable species. This could include both captive populations and wild bird populations. Despite H5N1 now regularly jumping between species, the policy does not allow for non-bird populations to be vaccinated. Australia's black swans are particularly susceptible to the virus, and studies show they could be made extinct in an outbreak. Officials have also warned it could wipe out the 12,000 Australian sea lions left on the planet. The current public health risk is low.
The Age
6 hours ago
- The Age
Could we vaccinate wild populations against the looming bird flu catastrophe?
Broadscale vaccinations of birds in the wild was not considered appropriate, feasible or practicable, he added. For BirdLife Australia chief executive Kate Millar, Australia's preparation for the bird flu juggernaut, which has hit every other continent on the globe, is frustrating. The Australian government has allocated more than $100 million to the fight against bird flu, but Millar contends it is moving too slowly to enact defences ahead of the virus landing in Australia. Not only is the vaccination program still in its testing phase, it is still not confirmed that vaccination will even take place. 'Where are the practical, concrete outcomes, other than meetings and PowerPoint presentations?' Millar said. Loading 'You know, it feels more like a stakeholder management exercise than a true preparedness for a major biosecurity issue that's going to impact conservation and agriculture and potentially human health.' With strict biosecurity controls on Australia's land borders, the most likely way H5N1 will arrive in Australia is on the wing of wild migratory birds. This could happen through two scenarios: from the north, carried by migratory seabirds taking the East-Asia Australia Flyway south for spring, or from the south by birds migrating north from Antarctica. Ornithologist, mammalogist and herpetologist Professor John Woinarski said: 'I think we've been lucky to date [but] that luck will run out in the very near future. 'We've had a golden opportunity to prepare and to strategically consider what actions we need to do. And to an extent we've needed that opportunity because things haven't been moving fast in terms of the response.' Woinarski is most concerned about the spread of H5N1 from the south. Last year the virus travelled 7000 kilometres from the South Georgia Islands to the sub-Antarctic island of Kerguelen, where it was recorded in November. Woinarski said that from Kerguelen, the virus could easily jump to Heard and McDonald islands, and then to the mainland via Macquarie Island – 'probably within the next couple of months, I'd guess'. 'It's been hanging like a sword of Damocles over our heads for a couple of years, but I think that thread is going to break very imminently, and we'll be forced to deal with it responsively, rather than as proactively as we might have hoped.' Invasive Species Council policy director Carol Booth said H5N1 could have 'catastrophic' impacts on Australian wildlife. 'With so many Australian species already edging towards extinction, we await the arrival of H5 bird flu with great trepidation,' she said. 'We are on tenterhooks – will bird flu arrive this spring, the time of greatest risk? The annual migration of millions of shorebirds from the northern hemisphere is a wonderful event but could bring catastrophe.' The H5N1 vaccine in Australia is the same version authorities used to vaccinate rescued condors in the United States. In February, the government approved its use as an 'emergency vaccination' for rare, protected and valuable species. This could include both captive populations and wild bird populations. Despite H5N1 now regularly jumping between species, the policy does not allow for non-bird populations to be vaccinated. Australia's black swans are particularly susceptible to the virus, and studies show they could be made extinct in an outbreak. Officials have also warned it could wipe out the 12,000 Australian sea lions left on the planet. The current public health risk is low.
West Australian
17 hours ago
- West Australian
Popular dairy-free yoghurt maker Cocobella pulls products amid milk contamination concern
A popular Australian dairy-free brand has urgently recalled several products over potential health concerns. Cocobella is recalling multiple variations of its 110g Coconut Yoghurt pouches from major supermarkets and independent grocers after detecting an undeclared milk allergen. 'They determined that there was milk contamination and they are now working with regulators to recall those products,' a spokesperson said. The recall affects Cocobella Strawberry Coconut Yoghurt and Banana Coconut Yoghurt 110g pouches with a use-by date of 12/09/2025, as well as 110g Banana Coconut Yoghurt and Mango Coconut Yoghurt pouches labelled 13/09/25. While the affected quantity is not expected to be large, the company warned that anyone with milk allergies or intolerances should not consume the products, reassuring consumers that all other items remain safe. Customers can return the recalled items to the point of purchase for a full refund. 'Cocobella is working closely with Dairy Food Safety Victoria and FSANZ to conduct this recall. All relevant retailers have been notified,' the statement read.
