Are men or women in Australia more likely to experience alcohol-related violence?

Australian women are more likely than men to have experienced alcohol-related violence in the past 12 months. In 2022-23, 20% of men experienced at least one incident of physical abuse, verbal abuse, and/or being put in fear by someone under the influence of alcohol, compared to 22% of women.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.(NCETA secondary analysis, 2025).

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.

Physical Abuse: An act which causes pain and/or injury to the victim.

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.

Verbal Abuse: Speech which is designed to humiliate, degrade, demean, intimidate, or subjugate (including the threat of physical violence).