Statistics on female experiences of sexual assault, including victimisation rates, socio-demographics, incident characteristics and responses. The survey collected information from persons aged 18 years and over about the nature and extent of their experiences of violence. The ABS would like to thank those who participated in the survey and acknowledges the experiences of people affected by sexual violence who are represented in this report. Some people may find the contents of this report confronting or distressing.
Throughout this time, government policies were in place to reduce the spread of COVID, including stay-at-home orders, border control measures, limits on gatherings, and social distancing rules.
The survey results should be understood and interpreted within the broader context of the wide-ranging changes to everyday life during the pandemic.
While the PSS collects the same information from both men and women, detailed data for men who experienced sexual violence are not sufficiently statistically reliable to include in this publication. Summary prevalence statistics for men are available in Personal Safety, Australia.
In the PSS, sexual violence refers to the occurrence, attempt or threat of sexual assault experienced since the age of Sexual violence is measured by combining experiences of sexual assault and sexual threat. An act of a sexual nature carried out against a person's will through the use of physical force, or intimidation or coercion, including any attempts to do this.
