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University of Otago researchers say serious assaults in New Zealand have risen to disturbingly high levels.
In a report published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal, John Langley and Pauline Gulliver say there were on average 800 serious non-fatal assaults a year between 2000 and 2009, with three quarters of victims being male.
Maori accounted for almost half of female and one third of male serious assault victims, and you were more likely to be assaulted if you lived in a deprived household or neighbourhood.
Professor Langley says since 2004, there has been a dramatic rise in attacks on males, particularly in the 15 to 24 age group.
That throws into doubt police statistical claims that New Zealand is becoming a less violent society.
He says the government needs to tackle the alcohol issue if it wants to reduce serious assaults.
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