Brutal and random violence against women in public spaces has sparked a nationwide discussion about safety and outpouring of grief and anger.

But a national report has shown men are much more likely to be hospitalised after becoming a victim of an assault by a stranger.

Rates of hospitalised assault injuries in 2014-15. Credit:Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare revealed more than one in three assaults on males which resulted in hospitalisation in 2014-15, where the attacker was specified, were perpetrated by someone they did not know.

That compared to about one in 14 for females, AIHW Professor James Harrison said.