New data reveals Australia Day sparks huge surge in violent assaults

New data reveals Australia Day violence has reached epidemic levels, with assault and violence rates skyrocketing each year.

Data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows non‑domestic assaults – such as street brawls between strangers – are 89 per cent more likely to occur on Australia Day than on other days of the year.

Research also found domestic violence assaults are more than twice as likely to occur.

Walker Pender Lawyers and Justice Network Director of Justice Hayder Shkara has witnessed first hand the legal consequences that can occur from Australia Day violence.

“You have gatherings that are normally fuelled by alcohol … mixed in with the heat, which I think can create a bit of a deadly cocktail and often result in violence,” he said.

Mr Shkara said people are often unaware of how quickly and seriously violence could escalate into criminal charges or protection orders.

“Let’s say your neighbours hate music too loud, or something, and you have a bit of a disagreement,” he said.

“Then, one of you kicks over their letterbox.

“If you just kick it out of frustration or do something like that, then that’s grounds for a protection order that will be placed on you.

“As a result of that, so many things could occur … you may have to then get a lawyer and pay legal fees and take time out of your normal schedule to go to court.

“If you have a firearms licence, then that will be removed.

“If you have working with children’s check, you could lose that.

“So it can affect people’s livelihoods in multiple ways that they might not be thinking.”

Research also revealed a worrying surge among people aged 25 and under, with the number of intoxicated young people presenting to emergency departments doubling on January 26.

The VicHealth data also found a 200 per cent increase in young people arriving at emergency with injuries on the public holiday.

“There isn’t any awareness … people don’t think about it,” said Mr Shkara.

“The best piece of advice I can give is to just control your alcohol intake,” he said.

”Do your best to kind of, de-escalate any kind of situations.

“Because if you do know these stories, (around alcohol related violence) you know how quickly things can get out of hand, and it can really affect the rest of your life.

“A moment of calmness in the storm of emotions can really help you out and save you a lot of money, if you’ll just have your head screwed on a bit,” he said.

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