Family and sexual violence rates against Australian children rise sharply as researchers warn of ‘manosphere’

Study authors say increase cannot be attributed to any one factor and list income inequality and growing awareness as other likely reasons

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

The sexual assault of Australian children has accelerated sharply since the pandemic, surprising researchers who expected rates to have fallen but instead found attacks on boys had risen 15.7%.

Researchers expected rates to have dropped in line with other countries around the world and warn the troubling findings show an urgent need to prevent the suffering of children.