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Community attitudes towards sexual violence
Measure: The mean score on the Sexual Violence Scale (SVS)
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Baseline value
68
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Latest value
68in 2021
Last updated:
Interpretation
An increase in the mean score on the Sexual Violence Scale (SVS) would indicate an increase in community attitudes that reject sexual violence.
The items that make up the SVS are also included in the Attitudes towards Violence against Women Scale (AVAWS). The AVAWS captures the overall community towards violence against women and the SVS should be interpreted as one component of the AVAWS.
Target: 2 point increase in community attitudes that reject sexual violence every 4 years.
Baseline: 2021.
Indicator: Increase in community attitudes that reject sexual violence.
Long-term outcome: Community attitudes and beliefs embrace gender equality and condemn all forms of gendered violence without exception.
Data source: ANROWS National Community Attitudes Survey.
Source: DSS 2023, 2024.
For information about how this measure is derived, please refer to the Technical specifications for National Plan Outcomes.
Additional National Plan Outcomes data are available from the Data downloads page.
Time series
Mean score on the Sexual Violence Scale, 2017 and 2021
| Year | Mean score |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 66^ |
| 2021 | 68 |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater rejection of problematic attitudes.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
^: statistically significant difference to the 2021 mean score.
State and territory
Mean score on the Sexual Violence Scale, by jurisdiction, 2017 and 2021
| Jurisdiction | 2017 | 2021 (baseline) |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 66^ | 68 |
| Vic | 67^ | 69 |
| Qld | 65^ | 68 |
| WA | 65^ | 68 |
| SA | 65^ | 68 |
| Tas | 65^ | 68 |
| ACT | 66^ | 71 |
| NT | 64^ | 68 |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater rejection of problematic attitudes.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
^: statistically significant difference between 2017 and 2021 mean score.
Population characteristics
Gender
Mean score on the Sexual Violence Scale, by gender, 2017 and 2021
| Gender | 2017 | 2021 (baseline) |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 66^ | 69 |
| Men | 65^ | 67 |
| Non–binary respondents | n.a. | 73 |
| Persons | 66^ | 68 |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater rejection of problematic attitudes.
- 2021 was the first year NCAS reported results for non–binary respondents. "Non–binary" includes all respondents who reported they were non–binary or another gender identity outside the gender binary.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
^: statistically significant difference between 2017 and 2021 mean score.n.a.:not available.
Age
Mean score on the Sexual Violence Scale, by age group, 2017 and 2021
| Age group | 2017 | 2021 (baseline) |
|---|---|---|
| 16–24 | 66^ | 69 |
| 25–34 | 67^ | 71 |
| 35–44 | 68^ | 70 |
| 45–54 | 67^ | 70 |
| 55–64 | 65^ | 68 |
| 65–74 | 63^ | 65 |
| 75+ | 60^ | 62 |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater rejection of problematic attitudes.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
^: statistically significant difference between 2017 and 2021 mean score.
Sexuality
Mean score on the Sexual Violence Scale, by sexuality, 2021
| Jurisdiction | 2021 (baseline) |
|---|---|
| Heterosexual | 68 |
| Lesbian | 75 |
| Gay | 72 |
| Bisexual or Pansexual | 74 |
| Asexual, queer or diverse sexualities | 73 |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater rejection of problematic attitudes.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
Related material
See the related content in the AIHW Family, domestic and sexual violence website:
Department of Social Services (DSS) (2023) Outcomes Framework 2023-2032, DSS, accessed 26 February 2024.
DSS (2024) Performance measurement plan, DSS, accessed 8 May 2024.
Related measures
See the related National Plan Outcomes measures:
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