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 (59%) of cases.
In 2016 in Australia, the perpetrator of alcohol-related verbal abuse was a person not known to the victim in 59% of cases, another person known to the victim in 19% of cases; the current/former spouse or partner in 18% of cases; another relative in 14%; and a friend in 9% of cases.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2016 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).