In the Southern Metropolitan Region
The high rates of violence against women and sexual offences within the SMR allude to concerning attitudes.
While there is limited information about attitudes to violence against women within the SMR, the National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS) provides some data and insights regarding:
- gaps in the community’s understanding of violence against women.
- areas where problematic attitudes towards violence against women persist.
- factors related to understanding and attitudes that may contribute to and perpetuate a climate of violence against women.
- changes in understanding and attitudes regarding violence against women over time.
Although the data presented in the survey are not disaggregated by LGA, the findings are applicable to the SMR given the high rates of violence against women that have been found in the region.
National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey
Encouraging results from the NCAS:
- Since 2013, Australians have increasingly rejected problematic beliefs and attitudes related to gender inequality.
- Over the last decade, there has been a slow increase in Australians’ rejection of problematic beliefs and attitudes about violence against women.
- Since 2013, Australians have increasingly rejected problematic beliefs and attitudes related to gender inequality.
- A majority of Australians do not think that violence against women occurs in all communities, including one’s own community.
Concerning results from the NCAS:
- Since 2013, Australians have increasingly rejected problematic beliefs and attitudes related to gender inequality.
- Over the last decade, there has been a slow increase in Australians’ rejection of problematic beliefs and attitudes about violence against women.
- Since 2013, Australians have increasingly rejected problematic beliefs and attitudes related to gender inequality.
- A majority of Australians do not think that violence against women occurs in all communities, including one’s own community.
Fewer respondents recognise that men are more likely to commit domestic violence.
57% in 2021
71% in 2013
74% in 2009
From Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS)
Attitudes Amonst Young People
Young people's understanding of violence against women and their attitudes towards this violence and gender inequality are improving, but that more work is needed.
The NCAS report shows that 27-43% of young respondents have an advanced understanding of violence against women and advanced attitudes towards this violence and gender inequality. However, the report also highlights concerning trends, including that improvement in attitudes towards domestic violence had plateaued among young people.
Between 2017 and 2021, young Australians’ understanding of violence against women, rejection of gender inequality, rejection of violence against women and rejection of sexual violence have significantly improved. The latest NCAS report reinforces the need for continued focus on supporting young people to contribute to a culture that rejects violence against women and fosters gender equality.
Key Findings
- Young men consistently lagged behind young women in their understanding and attitudes.
- Young men also lagged behind young non-binary respondents in their rejection of gender inequality and rejection of some aspects of violence against women.
- Rejection of problematic attitudes towards violence against women was often stronger for young people aged 18 to 24 years compared to those aged 16 to 17 years, indicating that attitudes are still developing among young people.
- Most young respondents would be bothered by witnessing abuse or disrespect of women (78-98%). Most of the young respondents who said they would be bothered expressed the intention to intervene socially (63-96%).
- Young respondents were significantly more likely (75%) to say they would be bothered by a male work friend telling a sexist joke about women compared to those aged 25 years or older (64%).
- Most young respondents thought that their peers would support them if they intervened (79–89%) when witnessing a friend using verbal abuse or telling a sexist joke.
- Young people improved many attitudes that minimise violence and mistrust and objectify women. However, young respondents were still significantly less likely than those aged 25 years or older to “strongly disagree” with some attitudes that minimise violence, such as that domestic violence should be excused if the violent person later regrets their behaviour (54% compared to 73%).
- Most young Australians recognise that consent must be active and ongoing. However, fewer young respondents “strongly disagreed” that a man was justified in forcing sex when the woman had initiated kissing and then pushed the man away (70-72%), compared to when the man had initiated kissing (89 – 90%).
- Most young respondents agreed that violence against women is a problem in Australia (91%) and in the suburb or town where they live (53%). The recognition that violence against women is a problem in their local area was higher for young respondents compared to respondents aged 25 years or older.
- Many young Australians know where to get help. About two in three young respondents knew how to access domestic violence services.