Sydney, Aug 16 (IANS) Women living in poorer households are three times more likely to be exposed to physical abuse than other women.
Around one in 25 women aged 35-44 is likely to be assaulted or threatened with assault in any given 12-month period bas a new study shows that financial stress, personal stress and alcohol or drug problems greatly increase this risk.
The study was conducted by University of New South Wales adjunct professor Don Weatherburn.
The annual risk of assault or threatened assault for a woman aged 35-44 who is
under no personal or financial stress and has no drug or alcohol problems is about
4.1 percent, according to a statement of the University of New South Wales.
If she has experienced a high level of financial stress over the preceding year, the risk jumps to 14.6 percent.
High levels of personal stress over the preceding 12 months lift the average risk from 4.1 percent to 12.7 percent. If drug or alcohol problems are involved, the average risk increases to 11.1 percent.
Weatherburn presented his findings at the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) Seminar Series.
