we don't have reliable statistics until a few decades ago. and even now DV remains under-reported for statistical analysis. estimates suggest the reporting rate to be less than 20%. so really theres no reliable comparison between todays incidence and that of 100 years ago.
just as theres no reliable means of determining if Aboriginal people had such a high rate of DV as exists today. there was no grog available pre-colonisation/invasion and so its very unlikely that violence against women was even an issue 300 years ago. besides, Aboriginal communities had their very strong laws wrt anti-social behaviours with swift and damaging consequences. that was real deterrence.
