Agency or Individual Misleading ‘statistic’ Correction Corrected?

The Conversation Fact Check "FactCheck: is domestic violence the leading preventable cause of death and illness for women aged 18 to 44?" This article contains errors. You can find a response here. The Conversation corrected one error when notified, however one error remains.

The Sydney Morning Herald Daily Life "Fact or fiction: Every third victim of intimate partner violence is a male" This article contains a range of false and misleading information. You can find a rebuttal here. The article remains uncorrected.

The Tertangala "The One In Three Campaign is Bollocks, and Here is Why" This article contains a range of false and misleading information. You can find a rebuttal here. Tertangala was gracious enough to publish our rebuttal however the original article stands uncorrected.

The Sydney Morning Herald Daily Life "The 'One in Three' claim about male domestic violence victims is a myth" This article contains a range of false and misleading information. You can find a rebuttal here. Daily Life made a small correction to their original article after a complaint to the Australian Press Council, but most of it stands uncorrected.

The Sydney Morning Herald Daily Life "One-in-three myth unanimously busted on 'Hitting Home' finale of Q&A" This article contains a range of false and misleading information. You can find a rebuttal here. The article remains uncorrected.

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter “Violence against women is... the number one contributor to death and disability in Victorian women aged 15 to 44” Intimate partner violence (not violence against women) is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15 to 44, according to a single, largely discredited study. 32



The omission of the word illness here is critical. Deaths from intimate partner violence (femicide and suicide) made up 2.3% and 12.9% of the disease burden respectively; physical injuries just 0.7%; substance abuse (tobacco, alcohol and drug use) 10.2%; sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer 2.2%; and poor mental health (depression, anxiety and eating disorders) 71.8% 34 VicHealth advised, “As the media release relates to a past event, no correction will be made to the document on the website. However we will ensure more consistent wording is used in the future” (in other words they are happy for their website to continue to mislead the public).

“ABS statistics also show that women are more likely than men to be assaulted in their homes (41.6 per cent, compared to 21.7 per cent of men), rather than in a place of entertainment or the street.” This is misleading, as it appears to suggest that women are twice as likely as men to experience assault in their home. The ABS doesn't provide prevalence rates of assault by location. All they provide is an indicator of location, provided by the characteristics of the most recent incident of assault only. The latest ABS Crime Victimisation Survey (2009-10)37 found that, in the most recent incident of physical assault: 40.4 per cent of victims of physical assault in the victim's home were male, and 59.6 per cent were female

65.5 per cent of victims of physical assault in another person's home were male, and 34.5 per cent were female

overall, 47.5 per cent of victims of physical assault in a home were male, and 52.5 per cent were female

78.0 per cent of victims of physical assault at a place of entertainment/recreation were male, and 22.0 per cent were female

63.5 per cent of victims of physical assault In the street or other open land were male, and 36.5 per cent were female. This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

"Almost 73.1 per cent of women knew their offender (compared to 21.7 per cent of men)." This is misleading, as it appears to suggest that women are more than three times as likely as men to experience violence by known offenders. The ABS Personal Safety Survey (2006) 5 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“In relation to the suggestion that separated mothers make false accusations of violence to bolster their case in the Family Court, there is no credible research that supports the assertion that women are routinely falsifying claims of abuse to gain a tactical advantage.” This is incorrect. The view that some family violence order applications are unjustified appears to be shared by state magistrates in New South Wales and Queensland. Hickey and Cumines in a survey of 68 NSW magistrates concerning apprehended violence orders (AVOs) found that 90% agreed that some AVOs were sought as a tactic to aid their case in order to deprive a former partner of contact with the children. About a third of those who thought AVOs were used tactically indicated that it did not occur 'often', but one in six believed it occurred 'all the time'.39 A similar survey of 38 Queensland magistrates found that 74% agreed with the proposition that protection orders are used in Family Court proceedings as a tactic to aid a parent's case and to deprive their partner of contact with their children.40 In recently published research on the views of 40 family lawyers in NSW, almost all solicitors thought that tactical applications for AVOs occurred, with the majority considering it happened often.41 In another study based upon interviews with 181 parents who have been involved in family law disputes, there was a strong perception from respondents to family violence orders (both women and men) that their former partners sought a family violence order in order to help win their family law case.42 This claim remains uncorrected.

“In fact research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies indicates that the opposite is the case - people are under-reporting family violence. While proceedings in the Family Court can be stressful for everyone involved, research by the Australian Institute of Family Studies indicates that the violence allegation rates during proceedings in the Family Court are similar to the reported rate in the general divorcing population. In fact, Australian research tells us that the concerns about child and family safety are very real, especially during divorce.” It is absolutely true that people are under-reporting family violence. and that concerns about child and family safety are very real, especially during divorce. However it is also true that people are routinely falsifying claims of abuse to gain a tactical advantage in family law cases. The two aren't mutually exclusive. The government should be drafting laws to protect families and children from domestic violence, especially around the time of divorce, while at the same time protecting people from false allegations of violence and abuse which can be just as damaging. The Family Violence Bill 2011 does not do this. This claim remains uncorrected.

“Women and children are at their most vulnerable to family violence when parents are separating.” This is misleading. Men, women and children are at their most vulnerable to family violence when parents are separating. The Australian Institute of Family Studies' evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms 43 This claim remains uncorrected.

Family Law Council “About one in three Australian women experience physical violence and almost one in five women experience sexual violence over their lifetime.” About one in three Australian women and one in two Australian men experience physical violence and almost one in five women and one in eighteen men experience sexual violence over their lifetime 5 When brought to the attention of the Council, they replied “Council… does not agree that the family violence report is affected by serious statistical error.” As such, this ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“In 2005 31% of the women who reported they were physically assaulted in a 12 month period were assaulted by a current or previous partner, compared to 4.4% of men who were assaulted by a current or previous partner” In 2005, 80.4% of persons who reported they were physically assaulted in a 12 month period by a current or previous partner were female, and 19.6% were male 5 When brought to the attention of the Council, they replied “Council… does not agree that the family violence report is affected by serious statistical error.” As such, this ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“23% of young people between the ages of 12 and 20 years had witnessed an incident of physical violence against their mother/stepmother.” 23% of young people between the ages of 12 and 20 years had witnessed an incident of physical violence against their mother/stepmother and 22% against their father/stepfather 7 When brought to the attention of the Council, they replied “Council… does not agree that the family violence report is affected by serious statistical error.” As such, this ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

Adelaide Advertiser “a quarter of Australian children had witnessed violence against their mother”

This statistic is taken from the source study Young people and domestic violence - national research on young peoples attitudes to and experiences of domestic violence 7 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

Courier Mail “Violence hits females most” (QLD, 2008-09)

Total Offences Against the Person for Queensland were 15,294 for males and 13,573 for females 36 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Across all age groups females are much more likely to be victims than males” (QLD, 2008-09)

Females are more likely to be victims than males in the age groups 0-17, but for all age groups 18 and over, males are more likely to be victims than females 36 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Violence against women is the most widespread human rights abuse in the world”

Violence against men, on every available indicator, is much more extensive, widespread, and has much greater health impacts, than does violence against women 3 Commendably, Amnesty have reworded the ‘statistic’ to read “Violence against women is one of the most widespread human rights abuses in the world.”

Australian Broadcasting Corporation “More than one in three Australian women will experience violence inflicted by their partner at some point in their lifetime”

The most recent nationally representative survey found that 1 in 48 Australian women report having experienced violence from a current partner since the age of 15 5 Commendably, the ABC have amended the ‘statistic’ on their website.

“Every year, nearly half a million Australian women experience violence at the hands of their partners or ex-partners”

The most recent nationally representative survey found that 114,600 Australian women report having experienced violence from a current or previous partner during the last 12 months 5 Commendably, the ABC have removed this ‘statistic’ from their website.

White Ribbon Foundation “In contrast to men’s experience of violence, male violence against women generally takes place within family and other relationships”

Australian men and women were equally likely to be physically assaulted by persons known to them during the last 12 months 5 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Canadian research tells us that women are three times more likely to be injured, five more times likely to be hospitalised and five times more likely to report fearing for their lives as a result of [intimate partner] violence”

These statistics are from an out-of-date Canadian survey (Statistics Canada 2003). The latest survey, “Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile” (Statistics Canada 2008), found that similar percentages of female and male victims sustained injuries, and that male victims of spousal violence are 1.8 times as likely as female victims of spousal violence to suffer major assault 16 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Intimate Partner Violence is the leading contributor to death and disability among women aged 15 to 44.”

Intimate partner violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15–44. The omission of the word illness here is critical. Deaths from intimate partner violence (femicide and suicide) made up 2.3% and 12.9% of the disease burden respectively; physical injuries just 0.7%; substance abuse (tobacco, alcohol and drug use) 10.2%; sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer 2.2%; and poor mental health (depression, anxiety and eating disorders) 71.8%. i.e. The vast majority of the contribution to the burden of disease in young Victorian women from intimate partner violence is from illness 34 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“There is no evidence that male victims are more likely to under-report [domestic violence] than female victims” The large-scale South Australian Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Survey found that “females (22.0%) were more likely to report the [domestic violence] incident(s) to the police than males (7.5%)” 22 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Males are more likely than females to agree with statements [such as]... ‘when a guy hits a girl it's not really a big deal’”

31% of young males and 19% of young females agreed with the statement “when girl hits a guy its really not a big deal.” The same survey found that while males hitting females was seen, by virtually all young people surveyed, to be unacceptable, it appeared to be quite acceptable for a girl to hit a boy 7 This error was widely reported as fact by the Australian media, politicians and NGOs. Commendably, the WRF issued a correction, and subsequently some media outlets such as the ABC corrected their reports, while most others remain uncorrected.

“30.2% of Year 10 girls and 26.6% of Year 12 girls have ever experienced unwanted sex”

22.6% of Year 10 boys and 23.8% of Year 12 boys had also experienced unwanted sex 8 This misleading selective use of data was widely reported by the Australian media, politicians and NGOs. It remains uncorrected.

“The National Crime Prevention survey found that... 6% [of young women] said a boyfriend had physically forced them to have sex”

The same survey found that 5% of young men said a girlfriend had physically forced them to have sex 7 This misleading selective use of data was widely reported by the Australian media, politicians and NGOs. It remains uncorrected.

Australian Democrats “According to the ABS almost 6% of all women were hurt by family violence during 2005.”

According to the ABS 5.8% of all women were hurt by violence (of all forms) during 2005. Approximately 1.5% of all women were hurt by family violence (by a current or previous partner) during 2005 5 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“A third of them [all women] were sexually assaulted by a partner.” Of the 1.3% of all women who reported being sexually assaulted, 7.7% of them were assaulted by a current partner, and 21.1% of them were assaulted by a previous partner in the most recent incident. This means approximately 0.4% of all women were sexually assaulted by a partner 5 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Women are most at risk while they are pregnant.” 14.6% of women who had experienced violence by a current partner and 35.9% of women who had experienced violence by a previous partner since the age of 15 reported that violence occurred during a pregnancy 5 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

The Hon. Linda Burney MP, NSW Minister for Women “domestic violence affects one in three women in Australia”

The most comprehensive, recent and largest scale survey on violence in Australia found that approximately one in six Australian women will be affected by domestic violence (violence from a current or former partner) over their lifetimes. On an annual basis, domestic violence affects approximately one in sixty-seven women 5 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Only a very small proportion of assaults against men were perpetrated by a former or current female intimate partner (4.3%)”

The most recent Personal Safety Survey found that males make up 20% of victims of violence by former or current partners 5 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Three quarters of intimate partner homicides involve men killing their female partners”

The latest Homicide in Australia: 2006-07 National Homicide Monitoring Program annual report found that less than two thirds (64.6%) of intimate partner homicides involve men killing their female partners 14 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Data from the Personal Safety Survey also indicates that women reporting violence in intimate relationships are significantly more likely than men to experience repeated acts of violence”

Data from the Personal Safety Survey indicates that women reporting violence by current partners in intimate relationships are significantly more likely than men to experience repeated acts of violence. However, women and men reporting violence by previous partners in intimate relationships experience repeated acts of violence at similar rates 5 Commendably, the NSW Government have issued errata correcting this ‘statistic’.

“Males did not have prior experiences of violent relationships”

The Personal Safety Survey shows that 6% of males and 17% of females have prior experiences of violent relationships (i.e. they have experienced current or previous partner violence since the age of 15) 5 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Males rarely experienced post separation violence”

The Personal Safety Survey shows that 5% of males (n = 367,300) and 15% of females (n = 1,135,500) have experienced previous partner violence since the age of 15 5 15 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“Canadian data indicate that compared with male victims of domestic violence, women are three times more likely to be injured as a result of violence; five times more likely to require medical attention or hospitalisation”

These statistics are from an out-of-date Canadian survey. The latest survey found that similar percentages of female and male victims sustained injuries and male victims of spousal violence are 1.8 times as likely as female victims of spousal violence to suffer major assault 16 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

“According to national data, women who experience domestic and family violence do not report it to police. Approximately 14% of women who experienced violence from an intimate partner reported the most recent incident to police”

While it is indisputable that many women who experience domestic and family violence do not report it to police, the Discussion Paper fails to acknowledge that men who experience such violence are even less likely than women to report it to the authorities. The comprehensive South Australian Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Survey 22 This misleading selective use of data remains uncorrected.

“One in four 12-20 year old Australians surveyed was aware of domestic violence against their mothers or stepmothers by their fathers or step-fathers”

This statistic is taken from the source study Young people and domestic violence - national research on young peoples attitudes to and experiences of domestic violence 7 This misleading selective use of data remains uncorrected.

“Three women are killed in domestic violence situations every fortnight across Australia”

Two women and one man are killed in domestic violence situations every two-and-a-half weeks across Australia. 42 females and 23 males were victims of intimate partner homicide in 2006-07 (the most recent data available) 14 Commendably, the OfW have stopped using this ‘statistic’

“It is estimated that in every year, approximately 350,000 and 125,000 will experience physical and sexual violence respectively”

It is estimated that in every year in Australia, approximately 350,000 and 125,000 women will experience physical and sexual violence respectively. So will approximately 775,000 and 45,000 men. These figures refer to all violence, not just domestic violence, and they include attempts and threats as well as actual violence. As far as domestic violence goes, it is estimated that in every year in Australia, approximately 114,600 women will experience domestic violence (43,800 from their current partner, and 70,800 from their former partner). So will 27,900 men (8,400 from their current partner, 19,500 from their former partner). In total 142,500 people will experience domestic violence every year 5 Commendably, the OfW have stopped using this ‘statistic’

“Domestic violence is the main cause of death, disability and illness in Victorian women 15-44 years. It is more harmful than smoking, alcohol and obesity combined”

The top five causes of death, disability and illness [combined] for Australian women 15-44 years are anxiety and depression, migraine, type 2 diabetes, asthma and schizophrenia. Violence doesnt make the top ten leading causes 6 47 Commendably, the OfW have reworded this ‘statistic’ to read “Intimate partner violence is responsible for more ill-health and premature death in Victorian women under the age of 45 than any other of the well-known risk factors, including high blood pressure, obesity and smoking.”

“At least 1 in 17 women is a victim of domestic violence each year”

At least 1 in 67 women is a victim of domestic violence each year. These figures include attempts and threats as well as actual violence 5 Commendably, the OfW have stopped using this ‘statistic’

“1 in 8 high school students will be in a domestic violence relationship before they leave school”

1 in 8 high school students will be in a domestic violence relationship before they leave school. Approximately equal numbers of victims will be male and female 7 Commendably, the OfW have stopped using this ‘statistic’

“Young women experience higher rates of sexual assault and run higher risks, at least 3 to 4 times higher, than the overall population of women”

Young people experience higher rates of sexual assault and run higher risks, at least twice as high as the overall population 5 Commendably, the OfW have reworded this ‘statistic’ to read “The [Personal Safety] survey also found that young women experience sexual assault at higher rates than older women”

“25% of young people have witnessed physical domestic violence against their mother”

23% of young people have witnessed physical domestic violence against their mother or stepmother, and 22% of young people have witnessed physical domestic violence against their father or stepfather 7 Commendably, the OfW have stopped using this ‘statistic’

“almost 90% of the victims of domestic violence are female”

Up to two-thirds of domestic violence victims are female, and at least one third are male 26 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected.

The National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children “many men belong to sexist peer cultures”

The vast majority of men believe in gender equality 7 This unfortunate statement remains uncorrected.

“domestic and family violence is a common cause of relationship breakdown”

Only 7% of breakdowns are caused by violence or abuse: communication problems are the main cause 15 This error remains uncorrected

“63% of child killers are fathers”

Less than a quarter are fathers, and over half are mothers 27 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected

“denigrating representations of women in the media should be addressed”

Negative portrayals of men are far more prevalent and just as damaging 29 This one-sided statement remains uncorrected.

United Nations Population Fund “Violence is a traumatic experience for any man or woman, but gender-based violence is preponderantly inflicted by men on women and girls”. No evidence is cited for this claim. However, the following circular argument is offered instead. “Definition of gender-based violence: Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life”

It would only be fair if male victims weren't defined out of existence by United Nations reports such as these. This attempt to deny the existence of male victims of violence remains uncorrected.

World Health Organisation “Where violence by women occurs it is more likely to be in the form of self-defence”

The references cited to back this claim all asserted that womens violence was primarily in self defense, but either reported no data, or reported that only 6.9% of the women acted in self-defense. At least five other un-cited studies report data on self-defense. Four out of the five found that only a small percentages of female violence was in self-defense. For the one study which found high rates of self-defense, the percentage in self-defense was slightly greater for men (56%) than for women (42%) 30 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected

Kelvin Thomson MP, Federal Member for Wills “Violence is the biggest health risk to Australian women”

The biggest health risks to Australian women are tobacco use, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, blood pressure and alcohol use 46 47 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected

Mrs Sophie Mirabella MP, Shadow Minister for Women “1 in 3 teenage boys think its no big deal to hit a girl... almost a third of girls in year 10 have experienced unwanted sex”

31% of young males and 19% of young females agreed with the statement “when a girl hits a guy its really not a big deal.” The same survey found that while males hitting females was seen, by virtually all young people surveyed, to be unacceptable, it appeared to be quite acceptable for a girl to hit a boy 7 8 These ‘statistics’ remain uncorrected.

Graeme Innes, Human Rights and Disability Discrimination Commissioner and Tom Calma, Torres Strait Islander Social Justice and Race Discrimination Commissioner “one in three boys think that it is OK to hit a girl”

31% of young males and 19% of young females agreed with the statement “when girl hits a guy its really not a big deal.” The same survey found that while males hitting females was seen, by virtually all young people surveyed, to be unacceptable, it appeared to be quite acceptable for a girl to hit a boy 7 Commendably, the Australian Human Rights Commission has amended this ‘statistic’ on their website.

Andrew O'Keefe, Chairman White Ribbon Foundation, White Ribbon Ambassador and member of the National Council for Reducing Violence Against Women and their Children “Violence against women is the most prevalent human rights abuse in the world”

Violence against men, on every available indicator, is much more extensive, widespread, and has much greater health impacts, than does violence against women 3 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected

“many more Australian girls suffer physical... violence than Australian boys”

The Personal Safety Survey 2005 5 found that 702,400 males and 779,500 females had experienced physical abuse before the age of 15. The National Crime Prevention Survey 7 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected

“One in three boys believes most violence against women occurs because the woman provoked it”

The study actually found that 33% of young males and 25% of young females agreed with the statement “Most physical violence occurs in dating because a partner provoked it.” These young males and females were equally likely to have experienced domestic violence 7 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected

“One in three year 10 girls who've had sex, have had unwanted (i.e. coerced) sex”

22.6% of Year 10 boys have also experienced unwanted sex. Only 13.4% of young people who had experienced unwanted sex, had been 'coerced' ('my partner thought I should' or 'my friends thought I should'). Other reasons given for unwanted sex were 'too drunk' or 'too high') 8 This misleading selective use of data remains uncorrected.

Jon Chin, member of the Hunter White Ribbon Day breakfast organising committee “Violence against women has to be the greatest human rights scandal of our time”

Violence against men, on every available indicator, is much more extensive, widespread, and has much greater health impacts, than does violence against women 3 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected

“one in seven boys aged 12 to 20 believes it is all right to force a girl to have sex if she was flirting”

One in eight boys aged 12 to 20 said yes to the statement ‘It’s okay for a boy to make a girl have sex, if she’s flirted with him, or led him on’ 7 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected

“One in three boys believes most violence against women occurs because the woman provoked it”

The study actually found that 33% of young males and 25% of young females agreed with the statement ‘Most physical violence occurs in dating because a partner provoked it.’ These young males and females were equally likely to have experienced domestic violence. The same survey found that while males hitting females was seen, by virtually all young people surveyed, to be unacceptable, it appeared to be quite acceptable for a girl to hit a boy 7 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected

Fran Bailey, Federal Member for McEwen “many young boys still thought it was acceptable to hit girls”

31% of young males and 19% of young females agreed with the statement “when girl hits a guy its really not a big deal.” The same survey found that while males hitting females was seen, by virtually all young people surveyed, to be unacceptable, it appeared to be quite acceptable for a girl to hit a boy 7 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected

Access Economics “98% of perpetrators [of domestic violence] were male”

65% of domestic violence perpetrators were male, according to available Australian data at the time 31 Commendably, Access Economics released a corrigendum revising this figure to 87%. Unfortunately this figure is still incorrect, as it is based on out-of-date United States survey data and incorrect calculation methodology.

The Body Shop “98% of the perpetrators of domestic violence were male”

65% of domestic violence perpetrators were male, according to available Australian data at the time 31 Commendably, the Body Shop corrected this error, revising this figure to 87%. Unfortunately this figure is still incorrect, as it is based on out-of-date United States survey data and incorrect calculation methodology.

Marie Claire Magazine “that's half a million children and teenagers who know their mother or step-mother is being abused by her partner”

An almost identical number of children and teenagers know their father or step-father is being abused by his partner 7 This ‘statistic’ remains uncorrected