Key findings
While Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality are improving, there are some concerning trends.
Many people’s knowledge and attitudes to violence against women are out of step with the evidence, and with women’s experiences.
It’s concerning that a substantial minority mistrust women’s reports of violence, and feel the problem of gender inequality is exaggerated. We need to do more to change these attitudes.
Our attitudes to sexual consent are concerning. We need to focus on the abusive behaviour, not women’s choices.
The majority of Australians have a good understanding of violence against women, support gender equality, reject attitudes supportive of violence against women, and say they would act, or would like to act, when witnessing violence or disrespect towards women. There was an improvement between 2013 and 2017 on 27 of the 36 questions asked in both survey waves.
The community’s understanding of violence against women has improved since the last survey.
The community’s attitudinal support for gender equality has improved since the last survey.
The community’s attitudinal support against violence against women has improved since the last survey.
Knowledge of violence against women
Find Out MoreKnowledge of the gendered pattern of intimate partner violence
Find Out MoreAttitudes to gender inequality
Find Out MoreAttitudes to violence against women
Find out moreCircumstances in which people justify non-consensual sex
Find out moreBystander action
Find out more
Sub-report downloads
Attitudes towards violence against women and gender equality among Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders
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Young Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality
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Attitudes towards violence against women and gender equality among people from non-English speaking countries
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Summary of 2017 NCAS findings
Download Findings from the 2017 NCAS
Download Attitudes towards violence against women and gender equality among Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders
Download Young Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality
Download Attitudes towards violence against women and gender equality among people from non-English speaking countries
DownloadFactors to keep in mind when considering findings.
The 2017 NCAS survey was developed, implemented and analysed using rigorous, well accepted methods and procedures.
It has a large sample size and includes both mobile and landline interviewing. This helps ensure the sample is as diverse and representative as possible. As a periodic survey, the NCAS is able to measure changes in knowledge and attitudes over time. However, as is the case with all research, the NCAS has some limitations, as follows:
- It is not possible to reach everyone contacted by the randomly generated telephone numbers, and about half (48%) of those reached declined to participate. The proportion of telephone numbers called that resulted in an interview (the response rate) was 17%. This is comparable to other similar surveys across the world. Sample weighting was used to correct the impact of any known imbalances.
- Well-established statistical modelling was used to investigate some of the more complex questions. As with any statistical modelling, some assumptions were made (e.g. in measuring change over time at the overall level, see page 5 of the Summary Report).
- Although cognitive testing of the questions was undertaken to be sure they were well understood, responses to surveys on complex social issues can be influenced by language proficiency, or cultural differences. Some people may give an answer based on what they believe is socially acceptable, rather than what they really think.
- When a relationship is found between two variables (e.g. attitudes and education), it is important to be aware that this does not necessarily mean that one causes the other.
- More information and methodological details can be found in the NCAS Methodology Report.
Suggested citations:
Are we there yet? Australians’ attitudes towards violence against women & gender equality: Summary findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. (2018). Are we there yet? Australians’ attitudes towards violence against women & gender equality: Summary findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS) (Research to policy and practice, 03/2018). Sydney, NSW: ANROWS.
Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality. Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey
Webster, K., Diemer, K., Honey, N., Mannix, S., Mickle, J., Morgan, J., Parkes, A., Politoff, V., Powell, A., Stubbs, J., & Ward, A. (2018). Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality. Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)(Research report, 03/2018). Sydney, NSW: ANROWS
Methodology report: Survey redevelopment and implementation of the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)
Webster, K., Diemer, K., Honey, N., Mannix, S., Mickle, J., Morgan, J., Parkes, A., Politoff, V., Powell, A., Stubbs, J., & Ward, A. (2018). Methodology report: Survey redevelopment and implementation of the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS) (ANROWS Insights, 12/2018). Sydney, NSW: ANROWS.
National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS): Methodology report appendices
Webster, K., Diemer, K., Honey, N., Mannix, S., Mickle, J., Morgan, J., Parkes, A., Politoff, V., Powell, A., Stubbs, J., & Ward, A. (2018). National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS): Methodology report appendices (ANROWS Insights, 13/2018). Sydney, NSW: ANROWS.
Attitudes towards violence against women and gender equality among Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders: Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)
Cripps, K., Diemer, K., Honey, N., Mickle, J., Morgan, J., Parkes, A., Politoff, V., Powell, A., Stubbs, J., Ward, A., & Webster, K. (2019). Attitudes towards violence against women and gender equality among Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders: Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS) (ANROWS Insights, Issue 03/2019). Sydney: ANROWS.
Young Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality: Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)
Politoff, V., Crabbe, M., Honey, N., Mannix, S., Mickle, J., Morgan, J., Parkes, A., Powell, A., Stubbs, J., Ward, A., & Webster, K., (2019). Young Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality: Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS) (ANROWS Insights, Issue 01/2019). Sydney: ANROWS.
Attitudes towards violence against women and gender equality among people from non-English speaking countries: Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)
Webster, K., Vaughan, C., Yasmin, R., Diemer, K., Honey, N., Mickle, J., Morgan, J., Parkes, A., Politoff, V., Powell, A., Stubbs, J., & Ward, A. (2019). Attitudes towards violence against women and gender equality among people from non-English speaking countries: Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS) (ANROWS Insights, Issue 02/2019). Sydney, NSW: ANROWS.