Transcript Presentation Title

Violeta Politoff, Senior Project Officer, VicHealth
NCAS Partnerships and support
Led by VicHealth in partnership with The University of Melbourne and the Social
Research Centre.
The NCAS was supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services
as part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children
2010–2022.
Project Team
Technical Advisory Group
• Ms Kim Webster, Researcher and Project Manager
• Ms Fiona Blackshaw, ABS
• Dr Kristin Diemer, The University of Melbourne
• Dr Kylie Cripps, University of New South Wales
• Darren Pennay, Andrew Ward and Rebecca Bricknall,
Social Research Centre
• Dr Melanie Heenan, The Court Network
• Dr Michael Flood, University of Wollongong
• Ms Renee Imbesi, VicHealth
• Dr Anastasia Powell, RMIT University
• Professor Jenny Morgan, Melbourne University Law
School
• Ms Violeta Politoff, VIcHealth
• Professor Julie Stubbs, University of New South Wales
The significance of attitudes
Attitudes influence
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The perpetration of violence
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How women respond to violence
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The responses of others
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Responses within the health, welfare and law
enforcement/legal systems
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Social norms and culture (and vice versa)
NCAS: An overview
The 2013 NCAS is the third survey of its
kind: 1995, 2009, 2013.
One of two monitoring mechanisms as part
of the National Plan to Reduce Violence
Against Women and their Children, 20102022.
Aims
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Gauge awareness, attitudes and
responses
Assess change over time
Improve understanding of contributing
factors
Consideration given to
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Age
Gender
Indigenous respondents
Overseas born respondents
People with disabilities
NCAS: An overview
This NCAS involved more than 17,500
twenty-minute telephone interviews with
Australians 16+.
The research investigates five key areas:
1) Knowledge of violence against women
2) Attitudes towards violence against
women
3) Attitudes towards gender roles and
relationships
4) Responses to witnessing violence and
knowledge of resources
5) Factors influencing knowledge and
attitudes
1) Knowledge of violence against women
Encouraging results
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Most Australians recognise that violence against women includes a
wide range of behaviours – not just physical assault.
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This has increased since 1995.
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Most are aware that partner violence and forced sex in a relationship
are against the law.
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Most people recognise that partner violence is usually perpetrated
by men.
1) Knowledge of violence against women
Areas of concern
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Fewer people believe that violence against women was common.
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Decrease in understanding that women are at greater risk of sexual
assault by a person they know.
1) Knowledge of violence against women
Areas of concern
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Only 4 in 10 Australians are aware of the greater risk of violence
experienced by women with disabilities.
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There was a decrease in those who recognise that women are more
likely to suffer physical harm and fear as a result of this violence.
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Only half believe levels of fear are worse for women as a
consequence of violence.
2) Violence-Supportive Attitudes
2) Attitudes towards violence against women
Encouraging results
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Very few Australians believe violence against women can be justified.
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Decreased proportion believe that domestic violence can be excused
if the violent person is regretful.
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Decreased proportion who believe women who are sexually harassed
should sort it out themselves.
2) Attitudes towards violence against women
Encouraging results
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Most support the current policy that the violent person should be
made to leave the family home.
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Most agree that violence against women is serious.
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Increase in the percentage recognising non-physical forms of control,
intimidation and harassment as serious.
2) Attitudes towards violence against women
Areas of concern
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Sizeable proportions believe there are circumstances in which
violence can be excused.
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43% believe that rape results from men not being able to control
their need for sex.
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Nearly 20% believe domestic violence is a private matter to be
handled in the family.
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Nearly 8 in 10 believe that it’s hard to understand why women stay in
a violent relationship.
2) Attitudes towards violence against women
Areas of concern
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A large proportion believe that women lie in cases of domestic
violence and rape.
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Up to 1 in 5 believes that there are circumstances in which women
bear some responsibility for violence.
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Less than half see tracking a female partner by electronic means as
‘very serious’.
3) Attitudes to gender roles and relationships
Encouraging results
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Most Australians support gender equality in the public arena, such as
workplaces.
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Most acknowledge that women still experience inequality in the
workplace.
3) Attitudes to gender roles and relationships
Areas of concern
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More than a quarter believe that men make better political leaders.
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Up to 28% of Australians endorse attitudes supportive of male
dominance of decision-making in relationships.
4) Responses to witnessing violence, and
knowledge of resources
Encouraging results
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The overwhelming majority of Australians (98%) say they would
intervene if they witnessed a woman being assaulted by her partner.
4) Responses to witnessing violence, and
knowledge of resources
Areas of concern
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Since 2009 there has been a decrease in those who would know
where to go to get help with a domestic violence problem.
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Less than half recognise that police response times have improved.
This percentage did not change from 2009 to 2013.
5) Factors influencing attitudes
Three measures were developed from existing
questions in order gauge overall:
1) Understanding of the dynamics and nature of
violence against women
2) Attitudes to violence
3) Attitudes to gender roles/relationships
Each respondent given a ‘high, ‘medium’, or low’
score dependent on their responses.
5) Factors influencing attitudes to violence
5) Factors influencing attitudes
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Demographic factors have less influence on
understanding and attitudes.
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Measures included in the survey explain only
some of the factors influencing understanding
and attitudes.
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Other research suggests a range of factors
contribute to the problem:
 Individual, relationship and family
characteristics
 Organisational and community
environments
 Broader social factors (media and pop
culture)
 Rigid gender roles/identities
 Objectification of women
How can the NCAS support your work?
The attitudes of the whole population set the social norms
climate which ultimately influences behaviour of the whole.
Framing messages
 Use findings to demonstrate positive social norms
 Most Australians do not hold views supportive of
violence against women
Identifying particular attitudes and norms requiring attention
Making the case for prevention activity
Addressing the factors which most influence attitudes is
fundamental
Identifying target groups and associated environments
NCAS Infographic