Perpetration of sexual violence in a community sample of adult Australians

Abstract

This study examines the rate of sexual violence perpetration in a community sample of adult Australians. Data were collected through a survey of a proportional quota-based sample of 5,076 Australian residents aged 18–45 years.<br>

Just over one in five respondents (22.1%, n=1,124) had perpetrated one or more of the forms of sexual violence examined since turning 18 years of age, and one in 10 (9.9%, n=504) had done so in the past 12 months. Men were significantly more likely than women to have perpetrated any and each form of sexual violence examined, and to have perpetrated multiple forms of sexual violence.<br>

Findings address the pressing need for estimates of the prevalence of sexual violence perpetration in Australia, which are critical to efforts to address it.