Sexual assault cases in Queensland have surged 11 per cent to the highest level in 32 years, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The state recorded over 9,300 sexual assault victims in 2024, the largest number since records began.
The ABS figures also show Queensland remains the nation leader in victims of crime, with 289,449 victims in 2024, a slight decrease from 289,657 in the previous year. Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber described the reduction as encouraging but acknowledged more work is needed.
Premier David Crisafulli had previously pledged to reduce the 2023 victims of crime figure, but later walked back that promise, qualifying it as a per capita target. The latest data covers 10 months of the former Labor government and two months of the Crisafulli administration, with the LNP's adult crime policy not legislated until December.
Other crime categories showed mixed results. Homicide and related offences dropped by 17 victims to 94, while assault victims rose 5 per cent. Robbery fell 7 per cent, unlawful entry decreased 9 per cent, and motor vehicle theft dropped 4 per cent. However, other theft offences, mostly minor, reached a record high, with over half occurring at retail locations.
Ms Gerber attributed the overall decline partly to population growth, stating a 2.25 per cent reduction per capita. She highlighted a lack of focus on domestic and family violence under the previous government and pointed to new legislation aimed at protecting women and children. Opposition figures criticized the premier, saying he should be held to the total victim numbers, not per capita figures.
