Assault reports on the rise in Queensland

Anti-violence messages aren't getting through to Queenslanders, with nearly 18,500 physical assaults reported to police last year.

Reports increased by more than 500 to 18,471 across four categories in 2015, compared with 17,950 the year before, police figures show.

Ross Thompson, from the One Punch Can Kill campaign, told AAP the increase, though relatively small, showed more public education was needed to make streets safer.

He said it would take a culture change to make a significant impact.

"It's definitely the Australian culture," he said on Monday.

"We've grown up with the idea you might drink a lot of booze and get in a fight."

Last year's figures are more comparable to the 18,744 physical assaults reported in 2013.

Around 830 of the 2015 reports were considered grievous, while 8780 related to assaults occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Thompson said public interest in one-punch deaths, such as that of Brisbane teen Cole Miller, did not take into account victims who suffered permanent disabilities from assaults.

Trauma was also a significant problem for victims.

"They lose their trust in society," he said.

"(It's) frightening when you see the amount of violence out there."

The figures do not include how many of the reports led to convictions.

Mr Thompson said all forms of violence, from child to elder abuse, needed to be addressed by campaigners, legislators and educators.

AAP ri/jsm/gb