CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses domestic violence.
A landmark nation-wide study has revealed more than a quarter of men aged 18 to 57 years have used a form of intimate partner violence as an adult, with poor father-son relationships found to be a key factor contributing to men’s violence against women.
Ten to Men, a longitudinal study conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) understood to be the largest such study on male health globally, surveyed men and boys about issues like gambling, drinking, family violence, social connection, and mental health.
The study started tracking about 16,000 boys and men in 2013-14, and added another 10,000 to the database in 2023-24. It also acknowledged the responsibility for intimate partner violence is with the person who uses/engages in the behaviour, clarifying the findings are “intended to inform current efforts to end family, domestic and sexual violence in our communities”.
When first surveyed in 2013-14, around one in four men reported ever using intimate partner violence. By 2022, this number had increased to one in three men in the same cohort of men.
Emotional-type abuse was the most common form of intimate partner violence, with 32 per cent of men reporting they had ever made an intimate partner feel “frightened or anxious”.
Meanwhile, nine per cent reported ever “hitting, slapping, kicking, or otherwise physically hurting” an intimate partner when angry.
“This unique data set, following men over a ten-year period, confirms the extent of the problem. With an estimated 120,000 men starting to use intimate partner violence each year across Australia, we can see more clearly how delays in effective interventions can have devastating consequences,” said Liz Neville, director, Australian Institute of Family Studies.
“Each act of violence harms individuals, families and communities. We hope these disturbing numbers provide the impetus for further action by governments at all levels, underpinned by evidence.”
Intimate partner violence remains a critical health issue in Australia. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates, one in four women and one in 14 men are victim-survivors of such violence.
Impact of father-son relationships on men’s use of violence
In the nation-wide study, researchers found high levels of social support and high levels of paternal affection both reduced the likelihood of men using intimate partner violence.
“According to our analysis, receiving affection from a father or father figure growing up is associated with a decreased risk of using intimate partner violence in later life,” the study reported.
Men who felt strongly that they had a quality relationship with a father or father figure during childhood, marked with affection, were 48 per cent less likely to report ever having used intimate partner violence.
Similarly, men who reported high levels of social support “all of the time” were 26 per cent less likely to report using intimate partner violence.
Mental health issues like depression were also explored, with the results suggesting men reporting moderate or severe depressive symptoms were 62 per cent more likely to use intimate partner violence. Those who had experienced suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47 per cent more likely.
“These findings have direct implications for future interventions in health care and service delivery. For instance, screening for depressive symptoms could open referral pathways to psychological support services for at-risk men, providing timely intervention that may help prevent the initiation of intimate partner violence,” the study reported.
The report added it is “essential to acknowledge that only a minority of men experiencing depressive symptoms will later use intimate partner violence,” highlighting the importance of individualised assessments.
Dr Sean Martin, Ten to Men program lead, said the longitudinal data provides, for the first time, a set of risk factors to help support the development of effective policies and programs for young men.
“Because intimate partner violence is such a significant and widespread issue –— used by people of all ages and backgrounds — understanding the risk factors to these behaviours is critical,” he said in a statement.
“Depressive symptoms and a lack of social connection aren’t an excuse by any means, as violence is always a choice. But they do signal where we could be building more supports around men early on, for the sake of their future partners, children and communities.”
Government action
Last year, the national cabinet agreed to a $4.7 billion plan over the next five years to address the “national crisis” of family and gender-based violence. In April, Labor also announced a new plan to help protect victim-survivors of domestic violence from financial abuse, promising to overhaul tax, superannuation and social security rules.
Responding to the findings of this report, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the research was concerning, but not surprising.
“It’s critical that we look at the factors that might lead to violence so we can make sure we’re funding programs that stop it at the start.
“To end domestic and family violence we need to invest in the frontline services that help people and keep them safe, but we also need to stop the behaviours that lead to it.
Help is available.
If you require immediate assistance, please call 000.
If you’re in distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online.
Under 25? You can reach the Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.To speak to someone about domestic violence, including for help in leaving a violent relationship, please call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
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