Family and sexual violence rates against Australian children rise sharply as researchers warn of ‘manosphere’
Summary
Research from the University of Sydney shows that sexual assault and family violence against Australian children have risen sharply since 2021. The study links the increase to factors like income inequality, online groups spreading harmful ideas about gender, and changes in reporting and awareness.Key Facts
- Sexual assaults on boys aged 10 to 17 increased by 15.7% since 2021.
- Sexual assaults on girls also rose steadily, by 2.8% per year for ages up to 9, and 4.2% per year for ages 10 to 17.
- Family violence-related assaults have increased sharply since 2021 after stable trends.
- Economic pressures from the pandemic and ending of government financial aid might have contributed to the rise.
- Online communities promoting toxic masculinity and misogyny may play a role in increased violence.
- The study used data from police, hospitals, and child protection agencies across Australia, covering 2014 to 2024.
- Some data is missing or inconsistent between Australian states, making the full picture unclear.
- Researchers call for better cooperation across government departments to address violence against children effectively.
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