Trends and patterns in domestic violence assaults

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Release date: 11 August, 2011, embargo: 10.30am                

Nineteen out of the top 20 NSW Local Government Areas for domestic assault are in rural or regional NSW according to a new report on domestic assault released today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

The Bureau examined all incidents of domestic assault recorded by the NSW Police between 2001 and 2010.

The top LGA for domestic assault was Bourke, with a recorded rate of domestic assault of 3,702 per 100,000 population. The only urban LGA found in the top 20 in 2010 was Campbelltown, which had a recorded rate of domestic assault of 680 per 100,000 of population.

The majority (86.4%) of incidents of domestic assaults occurred on residential premises. The peak days for domestic assault are Saturdays (17%) and Sundays (19%). The peak time is between 6pm and 9pm (15%).

Forty-one per cent of all incidents of domestic assault are alcohol related. This percentage varies, however, from a low of 35 per cent in the Sydney Statistical Division to a high of 62 per cent in the Far West Statistical Division.

The overrepresentation of Indigenous Australians as both victims and offenders of domestic assault has not changed over the last decade. The rate of recorded domestic assault for Indigenous women is more than six times higher than for non-Indigenous women.

Although males make up the largest proportion of offenders (82%) a surprisingly large percent of offenders are female (18%). A surprising 20 per cent of all victims of recorded domestic assault are aged 10-24 yrs.

Less than half of all respondents who had been the victim of a domestic assault in the previous 12 months reported the incident to the police. Older victims, those who were married and victims of assaults that did not involve weapons or serious injury were less likely to report to police.

Recorded rates of domestic assault over the last ten years have been either stable or declining, according to the Bureau's report.

Further enquiries: Dr Don Weatherburn 9231-9190