How many experience violence?

Acts of violence can affect anyone. But Australian men and women with disability are more likely than those without disability to have experienced violence, abuse or sexual harassment at some point in their lives.

Table VIOLENCE.1: Type of violence experienced, by disability status

Adults who have experienced…

With disability(a)(b)

Without disability(b)

violence at some point after age 15

47%
(2.7 million)

36%
(4.5 million)

abuse at some point before age 15

20%
(1.1 million)

11%
(1.3 million)

sexual violence at some point after age 15

16%
(935,000)

9.6%
(1.2 million)

physical violence at some point after age 15

43%
(2.5 million)

32%
(4.1 million)

intimate partner violence at some point after age 15

21%
(1.2 million)

13%
(1.7 million)

emotional abuse(c) at some point after age 15

26%
(1.5 million)

17%
(2.1 million)

sexual harassment in their lifetime

43%
(2.5 million)

37%
(4.7 million)

(a) At the time of the survey (2016). It is not possible to distinguish whether or not a person had disability at the time of experiencing the incidence of violence.

(b) Living in households.

(c) From a current or previous partner.  

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