Women groping men in nightclubs are more likely to be tolerated than men doing the same to women, according to Australian research published in the UK journal Ethics and Behaviour.

The Edith Cowan University survey of 381 nightclub patrons aged 18 to 30 found men and women believe it is more "socially acceptable" for women to be "handsy" in a nightclub.

Women being "handsy" with men in nightclubs was considered more socially acceptable than men groping women.

Researcher Aimee Wrightson-Hester put this down to the perception that when men grope women it is viewed as potentially more damaging.

"The stigma and harm perceived to occur when men engage in these behaviours (was viewed as) worse than when women do it, " she said.