When a person is put in fear by someone under the influence of alcohol in Australia, is the relationship between the victim and perpetrator different for men and women?
Although most incidents of being put in fear by someone under the influence of alcohol are perpetrated by a stranger for both men and women, being put in fear by a stranger is more common among men. Women are significantly more likely than men to be put in fear by a current or former spouse/partner.
When Australian men are put in fear by someone under the influence of alcohol, the perpetrator is a person not known to the victim in 76% of cases; the current/former spouse or partner in 7% of cases; another relative in 12% of cases; a friend in 8% of cases; and another person known to the victim in 16%.
When Australian women are put in fear by someone under the influence of alcohol, the perpetrator is a person not known to the victim in 59% of cases; the current/former spouse or partner in 19% of cases; another relative in 15% of cases; a friend in 9% of cases; and another person known to the victim in 16% of cases.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
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.
Put in Fear: Feeling threatened and/or afraid for one’s personal safety due to the actions, speech or behaviour of another.
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.