Burn Violence Against Women in Australia: The Tip of the Iceberg From Australian Burn Centers

Abstract

Violence against women is pervasive. An estimated 25% of Australian women (≥15 years) have experienced intimate partner violence. Recent cases of homicidal burn violence perpetrated against Australian women have shocked the nation. However, little evidence exists about the burden of burn violence against Australian women. This study describes and compares the frequency, sociodemographic profile, injuries, and outcomes of women admitted to Australian burn centers with burns from suspected violence with women with unintentional burns. Data were extracted from the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand for women (≥18 years) admitted to Australian burn centers between 2009 and 2022, with burns from suspected violence or unintentional burns. Sociodemographic profiles, injury, and in-hospital outcomes were compared. To further explore group differences, 155 women from each group were propensity score matched (one-to-one basis), with subsequent group comparisons made. Of 6262 women meeting inclusion criteria, few reported burns from suspected violence (2.5% vs 97.5%). Women with burns from suspected violence were younger (median 36 vs 43 years), greater proportions sustained flame burns (38.1% vs 25.3%) involving petrol (80.0% vs 38.0%), their injuries more likely involved their head (42.3% vs 16.4%), and a greater proportion died (4.5% vs 1.5%). Perpetrators were most often intimate partners. Our study contributes to emerging international literature demonstrating the confronting nature and consequences of burn violence against women. Building capacity among burn center teams to identify and respond to suspected burn violence will better protect Australian women and align with national plans to end violence against women.

Keywords: burn violence; intentional burns; intimate partner violence; violence against women.