Sexual violence costs Australia almost $2 billion annually, according to landmark report

Sexual violence costs the Australian economy almost $2 billion annually, according to a landmark UWA Public Policy Institute report. The WA-led research is a national-first to quantify the economic costs of sexual abuse on children and adults, and showed fiscal burden was exacerbated by a “chronically underfunded yet oversubscribed” support sector. The report estimates there’s at least an $80 million shortfall in funding annually to meet demand. Allambee chief executive Nicole Lambert commissioned the report through the Peel Region based service to ensure the economic implications were clearly understood by governments. Ms Lambert — who is also the chair of the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence — said she was frustrated with the sector’s ongoing lack of funding and called for sexual violence to be treated as a long-run economic issue. “Access to services remains severely constrained with more than half of clients in WA waiting from four weeks to several months, delaying or preventing timely support needed for recovery,” Ms Lambert said. In a powerful foreword penned in the report, Ms Lambert said funding has failed to keep pace with demand in sector and spoke of the importance to bring the issue “out of the shadows and into public consciousness”. The latest 2024 ABS data showed the issue is only worsening, with a 10 per cent increase in reports to police. It comes after there were an estimated 150,000 cases of sexual abuse towards children in 2021-22, and a further 114,000 adult cases. According to the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, by the time Australians are aged 16-years-old and above 28 per cent had experienced child sexual abuse. The report estimated about 68,500 people annually require sexual assault support services in Australia but about 23,000 are left with unmet support need. The report found much of the cost burden falls on the individual and society, though disruptions to their own employment, earnings and health. For workplaces, it can lead to staff absenteeism and lower productivity. The remaining costs are shared between the Commonwealth and State Governments through foregone tax revenue and welfare, justice, and health spending. The lifespan economic cost of child sexual abuse in Australia was estimate at $114 billion and $78 billion for adults. Jessica Murray — who leads the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing’s sexual violence response — said the figures could be just the tip of the iceberg with prevalent under-reporting of sexual abuse in Australia. It comes as Australia’s childcare system is in the spotlight for horrific cases of child sex abuse, alongside recent reports of widespread sexual violence by driving instructors against young students. Despite dedicated reports, reviews, inquiries and media coverage of horrendous cases — Ms Murray said it was a sad reality that the sector had to resort to “government language to really demonstrate the economic imperative to act on this issue”. “I think more than 25 per cent of kids experiencing childhood sexual abuse should stop us all in our tracks. It should be treated like a pandemic,” she said. “And yet, we’ve just seen no commitment from any level of government to really tackle this issue with the investment it really needs. “It’s hugely distressing both from the human cost of it but also, we now know that it’s got a huge economic cost as well. “We’ve been talking about the really distressing human cost of sexual violence for a really long time. For us, it’s almost devastating that the report is even needed but talking about that human cost hasn’t changed the dial or spurred government into action.” “We’ve really seen the cost of inaction from all levels of government. It’s not enough to say that ‘we’re serious about ending sexual violence’ — we’re really missing leadership and the investment to act.” In Western Australia, funding for specialist sexual violence services is approximately $15.8 million per year. The sector estimates that it would need about $27 million each year to fully meet the community’s needs but it currently receives only about 58 per cent of that amount. It leaves a 42 per cent funding gap and around 4500 victim-survivors without timely support. In Victoria, sexual violence is costing the State $34 million each year and $318 million over a lifetime, while in New South Wales the cost is $83 million annually and $383 million over a lifetime. WA lived-experience advocate Amanda Morrison challenged the government to put words with action and pour greater funding into the sector. “Our voices — the voices of lived experience — just haven’t been heard. Along with people working in the services that support victim-survivors,” Ms Morrison said. “Lives are lost because they’re not heard. I challenge the government to act on this report. Don’t just look at it and read it. Action needs to be taken. It’s not good enough for victim survivors. “If early intervention, early supports, can be put in place it can give best possible outcomes for victim survivors. It’s proven time and time again.” UWA Public Policy Institute’s lead report author Ben Perks said the research showed “maintaining the status quo, risks significant cost escalation”. He said delayed intervention compounded trauma, inflated public costs, and stressed the importance of early intervention and recovery services. “Each missed opportunity for timely recovery compounds harm across lifetimes and service systems,” the senior policy officer said. “Investment in prevention and coordinated intervention pays dividends in well-being, participation and reduced fiscal pressure.” 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Sexual Assault Counselling Australia: 1800 211 028 WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre: 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 (free call from landlines) Lifeline: 13 11 14