Violence against women is driven by harmful beliefs and behaviours across our society – like the idea that men should make the decisions in their relationships, at work, and everywhere, or that women are 'lesser than' men. These beliefs can overlap with other power dynamics and stereotypes – like race, disability, gender identity, and sexuality.
To someone who uses violence, these harmful beliefs support and justify their actions. They are known as the gendered drivers of violence.
Beyond the gendered drivers (or the ‘root cause’ for violence against women), there are other factors that can affect violence, including:
- how likely it is to happen
- how frequently it happens
- the type of violence
- how severe it is.
In Australia’s shared national framework for the prevention of violence against women, Change the story, these factors are referred to as ‘reinforcing factors,’ and are grouped as:
- Condoning of violence in general. This frames men’s violence as a normal part of life. For example, hazing rituals that normalise or encourage violence.
- Experience of, and exposure to, violence. For example, having grown up with family violence or in a community where people regularly use other forms of violence.
- Weakening of prosocial behaviour. This includes events or circumstances that reduce empathy, respect, and concern for women. For example, heavy alcohol consumption, climate disaster, and financial stress.
- Resistance and backlash to prevention and gender equality. For example, organised online movements actively promoting misogyny. Resistance and backlash include actions that try to:
- block or change progress
- uphold the status quo
- re-establish male privilege and power when challenged by calls for gender equality.
These factors can interact with the gendered drivers to significantly impact someone's experience or use of violence.