When it comes to violence, the most dangerous place in Australia for a woman to be is at home with her partner on a Saturday night.
The most dangerous place for a man to be is out in public with a group of other men.
The Evidence in Australia
Domestic and family violence is a pervasive and complex issue. Women and children are most at risk, and churches and communities have a vital role in supporting survivors, holding perpetrators accountable, and breaking the cycle of violence.
Prevalence
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced violence by a current or former intimate partner since the age of 15.
- In 2023–24, there were 46 female victims of intimate partner homicide, up from 34 women in 2022–23.
- 95% of all victims of violence in Australia report a male perpetrator.
- 13% of adults (about 2.6 million Australians) witnessed violence toward a parent by a partner when they were under 15.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are 31 times more likely than non-Indigenous Australians to be hospitalised from DFV.
Impact on women
- Intimate partner violence contributes to more death, disability and illness in women aged 15 to 44 than any other preventable factor.
- Domestic or family violence is a leading driver of homelessness for women.
- Many women experience poverty and financial hardship due to loss of employment, housing and social support.
- Police respond to domestic violence related call-outs once every two minutes.
Why This Matters
Domestic and family violence remains a hidden crisis. Many incidents go unreported, meaning the true scale of harm is even greater.
- Over the last 30 years, the number of women killed by an intimate partner has fallen by more than half – a sign that change is possible.
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However, in recent years, those numbers have started to rise again.
- 2022–23: rate of women killed by a partner rose by 28%,
- 2023–24: one of the highest levels in the past decade.
Behind these numbers are women, children, families, and communities living with the deep impacts of fear, trauma, and loss.
Reporting Domestic and Family Violence to Police
While awareness of domestic and family violence has increased in Australia, many victim-survivors still face significant barriers to reporting to police.
At the same time, many people choose not to report DFV. Common barriers include:
- Fear of retaliation or escalation of violence
- Not recognising their experience as a crime
- Mistrust of police or past negative experiences
- Fear of not being believed or having to relive trauma
- Concerns about being misidentified as the perpetrator
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Practical barriers such as location, access, or lack of information
For some communities—including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, and LGBTIQA+ individuals—these barriers can be even greater due to experiences of discrimination and systemic injustice.
While there have been improvements in police awareness and responses to DFV, victim-survivors’ experiences remain inconsistent. Strengthening training, building trust, and providing safer, more accessible reporting options are essential to improving outcomes.
A Call to Action for Churches
While progress has been made, domestic and family violence remains one of the most urgent challenges in our communities. As Christians, we are called to:
- Respond with compassion and courage
- Stand alongside survivors
- Hold perpetrators accountable
- Work together to break the cycle of violence
This evidence highlights the need for proactive, compassionate responses in Christian and broader community settings. It also calls for structural reform in social services, justice, and public health systems.
