The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has conducted the largest longitudinal study on male health globally, tracking over 16,000 boys and men since 2013 and set to include an additional 10,000 men in the coming years.

This significant study provides the first national estimate of male intimate partner violence (IPV) in Australia, highlighting critical risk factors for further research and policy guidance.

The research revealed a troubling increase in intimate partner violence, with over one-in-three Australian men aged 18 to 65 reporting such behavior in their lifetime, up from one-in-four in 2014.

Notably, men suffering from moderate to severe depressive symptoms were found to be 62% more likely to engage in intimate partner violence, indicating a strong correlation between mental health and violent behavior.

The study also identified that men with strong father-son relationships are 48% less likely to commit violence, emphasizing the importance of affectionate parenting in prevention.

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek expressed concern over the findings, particularly the rise in reported abuse among younger men, which has doubled over the past decade.

This increase raises alarms about the potential influence of online personalities, such as Andrew Tate, on young men's attitudes towards violence.

In light of these findings, mental health clinicians are urged to address conflict resolution in relationships, especially among men exhibiting depressive symptoms.

Government officials, including Plibersek, stressed the need for funding prevention programs that tackle the root causes of violence and enhance frontline services.

The government has committed an additional billion dollars to support women leaving violent situations, alongside a broader $4.7 billion five-year plan to address domestic violence as a national crisis.

AIFS director Liz Neville has called for urgent action from governments to address the devastating consequences of intimate partner violence on individuals and communities.

Micaela Cronin, Australia's domestic violence commissioner, emphasized the importance of understanding protective factors to develop effective policies aimed at ending gender-based violence.