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). 2019 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).
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%).
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).
Are men or women in Australia more likely to experience alcohol-related verbal abuse?
Australian men (20%) are more likely than women (16%) 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). 2019 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 younger or older Australians more likely to experience alcohol-related verbal abuse?
Australians aged 25-29 years are the age group most likely to experience verbal abuse by someone under the influence of alcohol. From 30 years of age, the incidence of alcohol-related verbal abuse decreases with age.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 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).
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 (62%) of cases.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 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?
For both Australian men and women, the largest proportion of verbal abuse incidents from someone under the influence of alcohol are perpetrated by a stranger. However, women are more likely than men to be verbally abused by a spouse/partner or other relative.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 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).