First Australian Sexual Offence Statistical collection report

The inaugural Australian Sexual Offence Statistical (ASOS) collection report released today reveals the prevalence and nature of sexual offending across Australia for the first time.

The Sexual Offending in Australia 2021-22 report from the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) brings together data on sexual offences, alleged offenders and victim survivors from state and territory police sources. It covers a one-year period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.

This report is the first from the ASOS collection, which was established in 2022 as part of the First Commonwealth Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2024.

We cannot effectively tackle the scourge of sexual offending in our society if we do not measure it accurately.

The report’s findings include:

• the sexual offending rate between 2021 and 2022 was 40.11 per 100,000 population aged 10 years and over;
• more than 9 in 10 sexual offenders were male;
• offenders had an average age of 36.4 years at their first or only police proceeding for a sexual offence; and
• around one-third of offenders were a non-family member known to the victim (32%), one-third were either an intimate partner (15%) or other family member of the victim (19%), and one-fifth were a stranger (21%).

These are shocking and sobering statistics, and they outline the scale of the problem which we must tackle.

Every single one of these statistics represents harm and trauma to individuals, their loved ones and the entire community.

The data in today’s report will be used to inform targeted policy responses that are designed to keep Australians safe from the threat of sexual abuse.

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to tackling the scourge of violence against women and children in Australia, as well as improving the experiences of victims and survivors of sexual violence in the justice system.

This commitment is backed by our record $3.4 billion Commonwealth investment to support the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 and through measures that address the intersecting domains of prevention, early intervention, responses and supporting recovery and healing.

We have also asked the Australian Law Reform Commission to undertake an inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence to improve the experience of victim survivors in the justice system. The inquiry is due to report in January 2025.

The Albanese Government has recently launched a new campaign on consent to improve community understanding and attitudes on consent and respectful relationships to reduce the incidence of sexual violence in Australia.

The full report is available on the AIC website.

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via 1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit ntv.org.au

Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Australian Institute of Criminology

The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice. The AIC seeks to promote justice and reduce crime by undertaking and communicating evidence-based research to inform policy and practice.