Attacks on Australian boys aged 10-17 jumped 15.7% after 2021
University of Sydney research found violence against children increased between 2014 and 2024, going against global trends.
A University of Sydney study looked at a decade of Australian crime and child protection data. Researchers expected violence against children to have fallen, as it has worldwide.
Violence instead rose sharply. Sexual assault of girls aged up to nine increased 2.8 per cent per year.
Girls aged 10 to 17 saw 4.2 per cent annual increases. Attacks on boys aged 10 to 17 jumped 15.7 per cent annually after 2021.
This was most striking. Family violence-related assault followed the same pattern.
Possible drivers include income inequality at its highest in 20 years. Economic stress from ending JobKeeper payments in March 2021 also played a role.
Online misogynistic communities may have contributed. Rising awareness and improved reporting may also explain some of the increase.
Dr Lucy Grummitt led the study and said the findings show a need for whole-of-government action rather than separate departments each watching one piece.
- 15.7% annually after 2021
- Boys aged 10-17 increase
- 2014 to 2024
- Study period
- Highest in 20 years
- Income inequality milestone
- March 2021
- JobKeeper ended
Why it mattersThe findings show an urgent need for whole-of-government action on violence against children. Separate departments each watching one piece of the problem is not enough.
AustraliaAustralian children face increasing risk of violence. The data gaps across states suggest better national coordination and monitoring is vital for protection and prevention.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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