Abstract
This paper presents findings from structural equation modelling of weighted 2021 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS) data for Victoria. It examines associations among attitudes towards gender inequality, understanding of violence against women, psychological distancing and violence-supportive attitudes. Among the variables included in the model, attitudes towards gender inequality had the strongest association with violence-supportive attitudes. Within the gender-inequality subscales, denying that gender inequality exists and endorsing rigid gender roles showed the strongest associations with violence-supportive attitudes.
Greater understanding of different forms of violence against women was associated with a weaker, but still substantial, relationship between gender-inequality attitudes and violence-supportive attitudes. People with more gender-unequal attitudes were also more likely to distance themselves from the issue by viewing violence as something that affects other communities or happens elsewhere. The Distancing variable was reverse-coded, so higher scores indicate greater acknowledgement that violence is a problem locally and therefore less psychological distance.
Together, these findings are consistent with the importance of both (a) shifting attitudes that endorse gender inequality, especially denial of inequality, and (b) improving community understanding of violence against women. They also identify psychological distancing – perceiving violence as happening ‘somewhere else’ – as a potentially important and under-examined barrier to attitude change. As the analysis is cross-sectional, it does not establish causal pathways or show that changing any one attitude will reduce violence. Rather, the findings support further testing of integrated gender equality, violence-literacy and place-based prevention approaches.
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Respect Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal peoples throughout Victoria as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We proudly acknowledge Aboriginal communities throughout Victoria and their ongoing strength in practising the world’s oldest living cultures.
We acknowledge the significant and ongoing impacts of colonisation and commit to working alongside First Nations communities to effect change. We recognise the ongoing leadership role of these communities in addressing and preventing family violence and violence against women, and will continue to work in collaboration with First Peoples to eliminate these forms of violence from all communities.
Respect Victoria acknowledges the significant impact of family violence and violence against women on individuals, families and communities, and the strength, trauma and resilience of the children, young people and adults who have, and are still, experiencing this violence. We pay our respects to those whose lives were taken and to their family members and friends. We keep at the forefront in our minds all those who have experienced family violence or other forms of abuse, and for whom we undertake this work.
Respect Victoria acknowledges Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) as the owner of the 2021 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS) and data derived from the 2021 NCAS. The findings and views expressed in this report cannot be attributed to ANROWS.
Many thanks to Helen Bolton, Lauren Coutts, Natasha Darrigan, Hazel Donley, Laura Gillis, Katie Grant, Ally Hallam, Kim Powell, Jacquie O’Brien and Laura Vines at Respect Victoria for their support in developing and publishing these resources.
Thank you to Nicole Weeks, Belinda Parker and colleagues in the NCAS team at ANROWS for sharing their expert insights as part of design, analysis and review of these outputs, and to Andrew Ward at the Social Research Centre for his warm collaborative approach to design and implementation of the analysis used in these outputs.
- Authors:
- Dr Kylie Fisk
- Dr Stephanie Lusby
- Dr Shelly Makleff
- Analysis: Social Research Centre
- Copy-editing: Vanessa Winter
- Knowledge translation and design: 89 Degrees East
- Design: Elinor McDonald
Respect Victoria is the state’s dedicated organisation for the prevention of family violence and violence against women. Our vision is a Victorian community where all people are safe, equal and respected, and live free from family violence and violence against women. To achieve our vision, we lead and support evidence-informed primary prevention and act as a catalyst for transformational social change.
Companion brief
Insights examining how attitudes towards gender inequality, understanding of violence against women, and seeing violence as a local issue are linked with violence-supportive attitudes in Victoria. This high-level summary of the research findings explores how they can be applied to inform prevention work in Victoria.
Suggested citation
Respect Victoria. Pathways associated with violence-supportive attitudes: Modelling Victorians' understanding, attitudes and misconceptions about gender inequality and violence against women (Technical paper 02/2026). Melbourne: Respect Victoria; 2026.