In recent years violence against women has been a particular concern of governments, community groups and women themselves. Although small in percentage terms, this corresponds to a sizeable number of women, 490,400. Women were nearly four times more likely to experience violence by a man than by a woman. The components when added may therefore be larger than the total. Violence is any incident involving the occurrence, attempt or threat of either physical or sexual assault which occurred since the age of 15.
Physical assault is use of physical force with the intent to harm or frighten a woman.
Sexual assault is any act of a sexual nature carried out against a woman's will through the use of physical force, intimidation or coercion, or any attempts to do this. Threats are included only if a woman believes they are able and likely to be carried out. These definitions are based on actions which would be considered as criminal offences under State and Territory criminal law. They were developed for the Women's Safety Survey which was conducted across Australia from February to April 1996. The aim of the survey was to measure women's safety at home and in the community and in particular to determine the nature and extent of violence against women.