Verbal Abuse
How common is alcohol-related verbal abuse in Australia?
Among Australians aged 14 years and over, 18% had experienced verbal abuse by someone under the influence of alcohol in the past 12 months.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
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).
Are men or women in Australia more likely to experience alcohol-related verbal abuse?
Australian men (18%) are as equally likely as women (18%) to have experienced verbal abuse by someone under the influence of alcohol in the past 12 months.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
Please note: 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. Significance is established as p<0.05.
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).
Are younger or older Australians more likely to experience alcohol-related verbal abuse?
Australians aged 14-17 years and 70+ years are significantly less likely than other age groups to experience verbal abuse by someone under the influence of alcohol. From 18 years of age, the incidence of alcohol-related verbal abuse decreases with age.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
Significance is established as p<0.05.
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).
When a person experiences alcohol-related verbal abuse in Australia, what is the most likely relationship between the victim and perpetrator?
When Australians experience verbal abuse by someone under the influence of alcohol, the perpetrator of the abuse is not known to them in the majority (60%) 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.
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).
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.
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).