When a person experiences alcohol-related verbal abuse in Australia, is the relationship between the victim and perpetrator different for men and women?
Although the largest proportion of verbal abuse incidents from someone under the influence of alcohol are perpetrated by a stranger for both men and women, alcohol-related verbal abuse from a stranger is more common among men. Women are significantly more likely than men to be verbally abused by a spouse/partner or other relative.
Among Australian men, the perpetrator of alcohol-related verbal abuse is a person not known to the victim in 70% of cases, the current/former spouse or partner in 10% of cases; another relative in 11% of cases; a friend in 10% of cases; and another person known to the victim in 19% of cases.
Among Australian women, the perpetrator of alcohol-related verbal abuse is a person not known to the victim in 51% of cases; the current/former spouse or partner in 25% of cases; another relative in 19% of cases; a friend in 7% of cases; and another person known to the victim in 18% of cases.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey. (NCETA secondary analyses, 2025).
Please note: Percentages do not tally to 100% as participants could choose more than one response. Significance is established as p<0.05. Australians who identify as non-binary or a different gender identity were not able to be included in the current analyses due to small numbers.
Under the Influence of Alcohol: There is no single objective standard for being under the influence of alcohol. Similarly, data sources used in the NADK do not provide a definition of this term. It is popularly understood as referring to an individual who has consumed enough alcohol to impair their mental, physical, and/or cognitive faculties. However, definitions and standards may vary between jurisdictions, sectors and organisations.
Verbal Abuse: Speech which is designed to humiliate, degrade, demean, intimidate, or subjugate (including the threat of physical violence).