Latest news with #AustralianInstituteofFamilyStudies
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
One in three Australian men report using emotional or physical violence
More than one in three Australian men admit to having used emotional or physical violence against their partners, according to a world-first study. The alarming results are an increase from one in four men 10 years ago, with federal Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek calling it a 'trend ... going in the wrong direction'. 'That equates to about 120,000 extra men every year in Australia using violence for the first time in intimate relationships,' she said. The Australian Institute of Family Studies' Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health — the largest study of its kind in the world — surveyed about 16,000 men aged 18 to 65 in 2013-2014 and again in 2023-2024, with a further 10,000 individuals added to the database in the second survey. It asked questions including whether participants had ever behaved in a manner that had made a partner feel frightened or anxious, or had ever hit, slapped, kicked or otherwise physically hurt a partner when angry. By the second study, 35 per cent of participants answered yes to one or both of those questions compared with 24 per cent in the first survey. About 9 per cent of those involved in the second survey admitted to physically abusing their partner. Plibersek said the study results were concerning. 'It looks at a large cohort of men over a long period of time and, what the research shows is that over about a decade, between the first report and the second report, the number of men who have ever used violence has increased from one in four to one in three,' Plibersek told the ABC. 'Obviously, that's a trend that's going in the wrong direction.' But she said the research did offer 'good insights', revealing men who had an affectionate father figure as a child were 48 per cent less likely to have committed intimate partner violence. And men with high levels of social support 'all the time' were 26 per cent less likely to say they had committed intimate partner violence. 'It shows that men who have good mental health, who have good social connections and social supports, and who have a good relationship with a father or father figure when they're young, are all less likely to use violence in their relationships,' Plibersek told the ABC. Conversely, mental health issues such as depression can increase the incidence of violence. Men who reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms in 2013-2014 were 62 per cent more likely to report committing violence by the second survey, while those with mild depressive symptoms were 32 per cent more likely. Those who had experienced suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47 per cent more likely to have committed some form of violence against a partner. 'Extent of the problem' Australian Institute of Family Studies director Liz Neville said : 'This unique data set, following men over a 10-year period, confirms the extent of the problem. 'With an estimated 120,000 men starting to use intimate partner violence each year across Australia, we can see more clearly how delays in effective interventions can have devastating consequences. 'Each act of violence harms individuals, families, and communities. We hope these disturbing numbers provide the impetus for further action by governments at all levels, underpinned by evidence.' However the research indicates programs which support men to develop good quality relationships, social connections and to seek support could contribute to a reduction in partner violence.
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Courier-Mail
One in three Australian men has committed domestic violence, world-first research shows
1/8 With what feels like a never-ending stream of tragic headlines in the media, it's no secret that Australia's domestic and family violence crisis continues to deepen. Now, an eye-opening new study conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies has lifted the lid on just how prevalent intimate partner violence is in Australia. The Ten To Men Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health, the largest of its kind ever to be conducted in Australia, has been collecting data and insights since 2013. Beginning with tracking 16,000 boys and men aged 18 to 57, the study expanded in 2023 and 2024, adding another 10,000 men to the database. In an effort to better understand the factors contributing to all facets of men's mental health, this portion of the study analyses the prevalence and causes of intimate partner violence.
Herald Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Herald Sun
One in three Australian men has committed domestic violence, world-first research shows
1/8 With what feels like a never-ending stream of tragic headlines in the media, it's no secret that Australia's domestic and family violence crisis continues to deepen. Now, an eye-opening new study conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies has lifted the lid on just how prevalent intimate partner violence is in Australia. The Ten To Men Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health, the largest of its kind ever to be conducted in Australia, has been collecting data and insights since 2013. Beginning with tracking 16,000 boys and men aged 18 to 57, the study expanded in 2023 and 2024, adding another 10,000 men to the database. In an effort to better understand the factors contributing to all facets of men's mental health, this portion of the study analyses the prevalence and causes of intimate partner violence.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
One in three Australian men report using intimate partner violence, study reveals
More than one in three Australian men reported using intimate partner violence, with social support and strong father-son relationships key to lowering risks, world-first research has revealed. The longitudinal study from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has been tracking more than 16,000 boys and men since 2013, asking them about a range of critical issues including family violence. When first surveyed, around one in four men aged 18 to 65 reported using intimate partner violence in their lifetime — including physical, emotional and sexual abuse. By 2022, this number had increased to more than one in three in the same cohort. Emotional abuse was the most common form of violence reported, with 32 per cent of men in 2022 reporting they had made an intimate partner feel "frightened or anxious" in their lifetime. Nine per cent reported "hitting, slapping, kicking or otherwise physically hurting" an intimate partner when they were angry on at least one occasion. The research indicated an estimated 120,000 men nationally were starting to use violence for the first time each year. The study provides the first national estimate of male intimate partner violence perpetration, and is the largest longitudinal study on male health in the world. It revealed men with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were 62 per cent more likely to use intimate partner violence by 2022, compared to men without these symptoms. However, the study also worked to identify "protective" factors. Men who reported high levels of social support "all of the time" were 26 per cent less likely to report using intimate partner violence. Meanwhile those who reported close relationships with a father figure had their risk reduced by half. "They had enough care and concern and a father figure they could confide in who taught them things," program lead Sean Martin said. An additional 10,000 men were added to the study cohort in 2024-25, with the latest wave of data collection expanding to include questions around economic coercion and pornography use. Dr Martin said the study has recently been funded by the Department of Health for a "sixth wave" of data collection. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows women are at least three times more likely than men to experience violence from an intimate partner. Almost 40 per cent of people experience violence by a male perpetrator, compared to 11 per cent by a female perpetrator. On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner. In 2022, the Albanese federal government, along with the states and territories, pledged to end family and domestic violence in one generation. Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin said this latest research would be key in informing next steps. "It gives us some really good insights into where we should be looking to support men and boys who are struggling," she said. Dr Martin said a similar longitudinal study was yet to be completed for women who use intimate partner violence. "That would be something we would like to include [in] future waves is getting an indication of the context in which this partner violence arises," he said. "Our own data suggests that's an important consideration, and that might include information on current partnerships and previous partnerships as well."
West Australian
3 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
‘Very concerning': One in three Australian men admit to intimate partner violence, horror study finds
A major new study revealing intimate partner violence is on the rise despite efforts to counter it is 'very concerning', Tanya Plibersek has said. One in three men have admitted to abusing an intimate partner either emotionally or physically, according to the latest Australian Institute of Family Studies findings. It marks an increase from one in four about a decade ago. Reacting to the AIFS report on Tuesday, the Social Services Minister said it was clear the trend was headed in the 'wrong direction'. 'It looks at a large cohort of men over a long period of time, and what the research shows is that over about a decade, between the first report and the second report, the number of men who have ever used violence has increased from one in four to one in three,' Ms Plibersek told the ABC. 'That equates to about 120,000 extra men every year in Australia using violence for the first time in intimate relationships. 'Obviously that's a trend that's going in the wrong direction. The study found emotional abuse was the most common form of intimate partner violence. Thirty-two per cent of men in 2022 reported that they had made an intimate partner feel 'frightened or anxious'. Meanwhile, 9 per cent admitted to 'hitting, slapping, kicking or otherwise physically hurting' their partner when angry. But Ms Plibersek stressed the report offered 'some really good insights into what makes it more or less likely that men will ever use violence in an intimate relationship'. 'It shows that men who have good mental health, who have good social connections and social supports, and who have a good relationship with a father or father figure when they're young, are all less likely to use violence in their relationships,' she said. According to the report, men with high levels of social support 'all of the time' were 26 per cent less likely to say they had committed intimate partner violence. It also said men with strong relationships, with an affectionate father figure as a child, were 48 per cent less likely to say they had committed intimate partner violence. In contrast, men with depressive symptoms were 62 per cent more likely to abuse a partner when compared to others without these symptoms. 'I think a lot of people in recent years have reported social isolation and loneliness as bigger features in their lives,' Ms Plibersek said. 'It shows why it's important that we invest in mental health supports and we're doing that as a government — an extra billion dollars with Medicare walk-in mental health clinics, expanding the number of Headspace clinics, reinstating telehealth psychiatry, telehealth consultations. 'All of those supports make a difference. It shows why it's important that we are investing to help women as they leave violence with the billion dollars extra for the Leaving Violence (Program), the extra housing and extra billion dollars for that.' The government-funded study has tracked more than 16,000 boys and men since 2013 and added an additional 10,000 men in 2024-25. It is the first of its kind in Australia.
