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Questions and Answers
What percentage of survivors were male?
What percentage of survivors were male?
87%
What was the median age of the survivors?
What was the median age of the survivors?
Survivors were predominantly unknown to their perpetrators.
Survivors were predominantly unknown to their perpetrators.
True
Where did most assaults occur?
Where did most assaults occur?
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The majority of the survivors were attacked by a single ______.
The majority of the survivors were attacked by a single ______.
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What percentage of survivors experienced immediate onset of neurologic signs?
What percentage of survivors experienced immediate onset of neurologic signs?
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What type of injuries were reported in 45% of the survivors?
What type of injuries were reported in 45% of the survivors?
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What percentage of survivors were intoxicated at the time of the assault?
What percentage of survivors were intoxicated at the time of the assault?
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Study Notes
Coward Punch Assault Survivors in Australia
- An exploratory analysis of expert opinions by forensic practitioners at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) found that coward punch assaults caused significant injuries and long-term health implications for survivors.
- From November 2012 to August 2020, the study investigated 109 survivors of coward punch assaults in Victoria, Australia.
- The study revealed that 87% of survivors were male, highlighting a gender disparity in this type of assault.
- Nearly a third of cases (29%) involved perpetrators known to the victims, while 48% involved unknown assailants.
- The perpetrators were acquaintances, work colleagues, housemates, family members, intimate partners, or unidentified assailants.
Location and Time of Assaults:
- Public locations accounted for 64% of coward punch assaults, including streets, hotels, nightclubs, karaoke lounges, casinos, public transport terminals, beaches, shops, parks, and football grounds.
- Private venues made up 26% of the assault locations, including residences, prisons, worksites, and schools.
- Assaults were most frequent between 6 PM and 6 AM, accounting for 55% of cases.
- Cases occurring between 6 AM and 6 PM represented 24% of the total.
- Location data was unavailable for 10% of the cases.
Number of Assailants and Substance Use:
- The majority (65%) of survivors were attacked by a single assailant.
- In 29% of cases, multiple perpetrators were involved.
- Data on the number of assailants was missing for 6% of the cases.
- Substance use information was limited in the study.
- While 28% of case records mentioned substance use, 70% did not specify.
- Specifically, alcohol intoxication was documented in 22% of the cases.
Injury Mechanisms and Patterns:
- Two distinct injury mechanisms were identified:
- Type 1 involved secondary head impact against a hard surface after being punched to the head (57% of cases).
- Type 2 involved the victim being punched to the ground, followed by further blows to the head through the application of bodily force (43% of cases).
- The assaults often incapacitated victims, making them unable to defend against further trauma.
- Most survivors (67%) presented with abrasions, bruises, tenderness, swelling, periorbital hematoma, and other similar facial injuries.
- Facial fractures were reported in 45% of the cases.
- Back or chest injuries, including abrasions, bruises, tenderness, swelling, and pain, were reported in 20% of the cases.
Neurological Signs:
- 68% of survivors exhibited immediate onset of neurological signs.
- In 21%, neurological signs appeared later.
- Neurological signs were absent in 11% of the cases.
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Description
This quiz explores the findings of a study on coward punch assaults in Victoria, Australia, conducted by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. It highlights the demographics of survivors, the nature of the assaults, and the locations where these incidents most frequently occur. Test your knowledge on this important public safety issue.
