A study into Coward Punch incidents across Australia has revealed, in almost 20 percent of cases, neither alcohol, nor drugs, were contributing factors.
The study by Monash University and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine analysed 287 convictions for Coward Punch incidents over a 30-year span from 1990 to 2020.
Dr Reena Sarkar said the study found alcohol was a factor in 39 percent of cases, while illicit drugs were involved in less than two percent.
“No substance abuse was reported in nearly 20 percent of cases,” Dr Sarkar said.
She said Coward Punch assaults typically involved a single punch to the face, neck, or head, causing the victim to fall and sustain further head injuries from striking the ground or another hard surface.
“These injuries can lead to severe disability or death.
“Our research highlights that Coward Punch assaults often happen in public settings and during late hours, indicating a need for targeted interventions in these environments.”
Dr Sarkar said other key findings included:
- The vast majority of offenders were male, with a median age of 26.
- 61 percent of cases were prosecuted in New South Wales and Victoria.
- Sentences for manslaughter convictions ranged from 3.8 to 11.5 years.
- 62 percent of offenders received prison sentences, while 19.5 percent were given community-based sentences.
- Self-defence was a successful argument in 2.1 percent of cases.
- Most incidents (65 percent) occurred in public places, predominantly between 6 pm and 6 am.
She said legal responses to Coward Punch incidents varied across Australia, with Western Australia the first to introduce specific legislation in 2008, followed by the Northern Territory in 2012, and Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales in 2014.
“However, similar laws are not yet in place in South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, or Tasmania.
Read the full study: An analysis of offence patterns and legal response to one-punch fatalities in Australia.
