Where is alcohol-related verbal abuse likely to occur in Australia?
Verbal abuse by someone under the influence of alcohol is most likely to occur in the street (30%), followed by at a pub or club (18%), or in the victim’s home (18%).
In Australia, 18% of incidents of alcohol-related verbal abuse occur in the victim’s home; 18% in a pub or club; 7% at a party; 8% at work; 0.5%* at school/university; 7% on public transport; 30% in the street; and 12% occur somewhere else.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
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).