University of Queensland (UQ) research is turning conventional wisdom about spousal abuse on its head.
While official statistics point towards a very high rate of spousal abuse among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) population, the new UQ research suggests almost equal rates of abuse among the middle-class white population.
Professor John Mangan, from UQ’s School of Economics, said research his team has conducted paints a more accurate picture of domestic violence in Australia.
“Our data was collected from hospital emergency wards where victims are first seen,” Professor Mangan said.
“It is this data which is more accurate as it is where the people who are abused go first to get help.
“But after they receive medical treatment, the victims do not always follow through and report the matter to police, which is where the current statistics come from.”
He said official figures had ATSI spousal abuse at levels of about 30% but his research showed the white population had similar figures of abuse.
“The official figures are actually testament to how honest and upfront the ATSI populations is,” he said.
“They are more likely to report abuse and say something is wrong.
“The middle class are more likely to excuse the abuse away and not report it to police, so the problem remains hidden.”
He said his research highlighted a significant social problem that policy makers needed to address.
The research will be published in Applied Economics.
Media inquiries: Professor Mangan (07 3365 6312) or Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (07 3365 2802 or 0433 364 181).
