A report released last week by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) estimates one in 10 men born in NSW have had Police take some form of action against them for offences related to family and domestic violence.

“This is the first estimate of the prevalence of recorded family and domestic violence offending in a population sample in Australia,” the AIC said.

“This is an important step towards increasing the visibility of family and domestic violence perpetrators.”

The study used criminal history data for three birth cohorts in New South Wales to estimate the prevalence of reported and recorded family and domestic violence offending by the age of 37.

9.6 per cent of men – one in 10 – and 3 per cent of women – one in 33 – had been charged with a violence offence against a family member or domestic partner. The report also found that just 1.2 per cent of people were responsible for more than 50 per cent of the recorded offences.

The study looked at those born in 1984, 1994 and 2004 and compared examples of when the NSW police force had taken any sort of legal action against a person for a family of domestic violence offence. Action included a referral to court, criminal infringement notices, cautions or other infringement notices.

The report found more than half of reported incidents (54%) involved intimate partner violence victims. In the remaining cases, offenders were parents, children, siblings and other relatives, other household members or carers. In the case of First Nations people, violence against a member of their extended family or kin was also included.

Professor Jason Payne is the director of the Griffith Criminology Institute and one of the report authors, alongside AIC research manager Anthony Morgan.

Payne said the majority of states and territories have only been flagging domestic violence-related crimes for a few short decades. In NSW’s domestic or family violence cases have only been recorded since 1997.

Where to find help

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse or family violence contact:

• • National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732
  • 24-hour Emergency Accommodation helpline on 1800 800 588
  • Safe At Home helpline on 1800 633 937
  • National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service on 1800 FULLSTOP (1800 385 578). They also have a specific line for the LGBTIQA+ community called the Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline on 1800 497 212
  • SHE (free and confidential counselling and support) on 6278 9090
  • Sexual Assault Support Services on 6231 1811, or after hours 6231 1817
  • Family Violence Crisis and Support Service on 1800 608 122
  • Bravehearts – Sexual Assault Support for Children on 1800 BRAVE 1
  • Kids Helpline is for young people aged 5 to 25 on 1800 551 800 
  • Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help by contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14
  • Men who have anger, relationship or parenting issues, should contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491
  • Don’t Become That Man helpline on 1300 243 413