Lesbian and bisexual women in Aotearoa New Zealand face disproportionately high levels of violence and sexual assault — particularly by strangers — according to new research from Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
The study, led by Associate Professor Alex Plum in collaboration with researchers from Rosalind-Franklin University in the United States, found that non-heterosexual women and bisexual individuals are consistently at higher risk of victimisation, including severe violence and sexual assault.
Key findings show that:
-
Lesbian women are 44% more likely and bisexual women a staggering 98% more likely to experience sexual assault compared to heterosexual women.
-
When the offender is a stranger, lesbian women are 72% more likely and bisexual women 77% more likely to be assaulted.
-
Lesbian and bisexual women are over 60% more likely to experience serious violence than their heterosexual counterparts.
-
Bisexual men are 30% more likely than heterosexual men to be seriously assaulted by a stranger.
The study is based on data from the 2023 Census — the first to collect information on sexual orientation and gender identity from people aged 16 and over. Researchers linked this data to police records covering nearly 2.58 million adults, enabling detailed analysis of crime rates by sexual orientation, including whether the offender was known to the victim or a stranger.
Various types of victimisation were assessed, including general crime, weapon-related offences, serious violence, and sexual assault. The analysis used statistical models that adjusted for socio-demographic factors to ensure the comparisons were robust.
Policy and Public Health Implications
Associate Professor Plum, who is also Associate Director of the NZ Policy Research Institute, says the study’s findings carry significant implications for public health and policy.
“Hate-motivated offences are likely to contribute to the elevated levels of victimisation experienced by Takatāpui and Rainbow+ communities, with serious implications for their physical and mental health,” he said.
The researchers propose three key recommendations:
-
Strengthen hate crime laws: Updating legislation to explicitly protect individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity is essential. Anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies also need reinforcement as part of a public health response.
-
Create targeted interventions to prevent sexual violence: Given the heightened risks, evidence-based prevention strategies tailored to the needs of Rainbow+ and Takatāpui communities are urgently needed.
-
Implement inclusive victim support services: Support systems must be tailored to the unique risks faced by different groups, ensuring resources are focused on communities most at risk to improve safety across Aotearoa.
“Overall, the research highlights the importance of targeted crime prevention and victim support strategies and resources. Simply put, one crime victimisation group is not necessarily like the other, especially when factors of gender and sexual orientation are involved,” Plum emphasised.
