An attendee holds a sign during a march demanding an end to domestic violence and femicide in Melbourne, Australia, on November 22, 2024.
Australia faces a growing crisis as new research uncovers a disturbing trend—more than one in three men have admitted to committing intimate partner violence (IPV). This unsettling revelation comes from the Ten to Men longitudinal study, highlighting a sharp rise in gender-based abuse across the country.
Sharp Rise in Intimate Partner Violence in Australia
The latest findings from the Ten to Men study, conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, show a significant increase in violence by men against intimate partners. In 2013-14, around 24% of men reported such behavior. That figure has now climbed to 35%, indicating that nearly 120,000 men commit IPV for the first time each year.
These numbers reflect an alarming shift, despite years of public discourse and government efforts to combat domestic and gender-based violence.
Emotional Abuse Most Common Form of Violence
Of all types of intimate partner violence, emotional abuse was reported the most. Around 32% of respondents admitted to making a partner feel “frightened or anxious”—a stark jump from 21% a decade ago. Physical violence was also prevalent, with 9% of men confessing to hitting, slapping, or physically hurting their partner.
This surge in abuse raises serious questions about how society is addressing the issue of toxic masculinity, emotional regulation, and respect in relationships.
Mental Health Tightly Linked to Abusive Behavior
The study also explored the psychological factors contributing to intimate partner violence in Australia. Men with moderate to severe depressive symptoms were 62% more likely to engage in IPV. Those with suicidal thoughts or attempts were 47% more likely to become violent toward a partner.
These findings underline the urgent need to invest in men’s mental health as part of any national plan to reduce domestic abuse.
A National Wake-Up Call
Violence prevention advocate Tarang Chawla described the results as a wake-up call. His sister Nikita was killed by her ex-partner in 2015. For Chawla, the data confirms what survivors and families have long known.
“We’ve known this is a crisis,” he said. “But now we have the data. It’s widespread, and it’s preventable.”
Intimate Partner Violence and the Role of Father Figures
This Australian study is the first to examine how early relationships—especially with father figures—can influence the likelihood of a man committing IPV later in life.
Men who felt they received affection from a father or father figure during childhood were 48% less likely to commit intimate partner violence. Those with strong social support in 2013-14 were 26% less likely to engage in IPV by 2022.
These findings suggest that emotional nurturing from fathers and healthy male role models may reduce the risk of future violence.
A New Direction for Prevention
Sean Martin, program lead and clinical epidemiologist behind the study, emphasized the importance of studying perpetrators—not just victims.
“We need to understand the 'why' behind these actions,” he explained. “It’s not enough to hear survivors’ stories. We must examine what drives some men to abuse.”
This new approach could help shape future policy decisions and intervention programs.
Protesters march with placards toward Parliament during the women's rights rally in Melbourne, Australia on May 10, 2025.
Fathers Must Model Respect and Empathy
Professor Susan Heward-Belle from the University of Sydney added her voice to the discussion. She stressed the importance of fathers teaching empathy, respect, and emotional intelligence.
“For too long, emotional and social nurturing has been left to women,” she said. “We need to rethink how we raise boys and the messages we give them.”
Time for Real Change
Australia’s 10-Year National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children aims to promote gender equality and safer communities. But with over 100 women killed since January last year, activists say more action is needed.
The Ten to Men findings serve as a call to strengthen mental health resources, expand fatherhood programs, and challenge harmful gender norms. Ending intimate partner violence in Australia demands urgent, collective action—starting at home.
