UPDATE: New reports confirm that sexual violence is costing Australia an astonishing $14 billion annually, highlighting an urgent need for government intervention. Despite spending around $10 billion each year on the Fuel Tax Credit Scheme, funding for sexual assault services lags significantly behind, risking the wellbeing of countless victims.
Authorities reveal that 2024 marks a troubling milestone, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reporting a staggering 31-year high in sexual violence incidents. Current data shows a national rate of 147 incidents per 100,000 persons, with 13 percent of women reporting their most recent assault to police. This data suggests a growing willingness to report but also indicates a rising demand for critical support services.
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin recently emphasized the urgent need to “change the trajectory” of sexual violence in Australia. As more survivors seek assistance, the strain on existing services has intensified. Currently, there is a $90 million funding shortfall for specialist sexual assault services, leaving 23,000 people without timely help each year.
Funding for these essential services has not kept pace with rising demand, creating a dangerous gap that prolongs trauma for victims. Economists warn that neglecting these costs leads to what they call “failure demand,” with governments forfeiting at least $230 million in lost taxation revenue annually and wasting an additional $100 million on inefficient activities related to these issues.
Victims’ absence from the workforce and the subsequent strain on healthcare, social services, and justice systems are significant, yet these costs remain unaccounted for in budgets. The economic implications are profound; investing in recovery and support services is not merely an act of compassion but a critical economic strategy that benefits all Australians.
Ben Perks, a senior research fellow at the UWA Public Policy Institute, argues that addressing sexual violence as a long-term economic issue is essential. “These costs cannot be ignored,” he stated. “Public funding needs to reflect the true impact of harm and the risk of downstream costs.”
The systemic failure to fund necessary services risks not just individual trauma but broader social and economic consequences. As funding discussions unfold, it is imperative that governments prioritize investments in response and recovery.
The challenge remains: Will the government act decisively to address this pressing issue, or will it continue to defer the economic and social consequences of neglect? The time for action is NOW.
As Australia faces these escalating issues, the need for effective, evidence-based service models and integrated prevention strategies is more urgent than ever. The community awaits a clear commitment from authorities to ensure that no survivor is left without the support they desperately need.
