Gender, age, and the perceived causes, nature, and extent of domestic and dating violence in Australian society

Abstract

This study, prepared for White Ribbon Australia and Youth Action, examined the perceptions and attitudes of young Australian adults toward domestic violence and dating violence. This study was based on a convenience sample of 3193 individuals who completed an online survey hosted on the White Ribbon Australia website. Attitudes towards, and perceptions of, domestic and dating violence were examined according to the gender and the study status of respondents at the time of the survey (i.e., high school students, post-secondary students, and non-students). The results indicated that, while overall, respondents did not typically hold views supporting gender stereotypes and violence, depending on the gender and current educational status of respondents, there were different patterns evident among the small proportion that did. Regardless of respondents’ educational status at the time of the survey, there was virtual consensus about harmful physical behaviours that constitute domestic violence. On the other hand, there was slightly less consensus for what types of covert/more subtle behaviours constitute domestic violence and this varied by respondents’ educational status. Males tended to perceive domestic violence and dating violence as less common than females, regardless of current educational status. Taken together, the results suggest that to some extent, gender and level of education are associated with attitudes toward gender stereotypes and violence, and perceptions of the causes, nature and extent of domestic violence and dating violence in Australian society.