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Community understanding of violence against women
Measure: The mean score on the Understanding of Violence Against Women Scale (UVAWS)
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Baseline value
69
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Latest value
69in 2021
Last updated:
Interpretation
An increase in community understanding of behaviours that constitute gendered violence would indicate improvements in Australians’ understanding of gender-based violence (GBV).
Target: 2 point increase in community understanding of the behaviours that constitute FDSV every 4 years.
Baseline: 2021.
Indicator: Increased community understanding of the behaviours that constitute GBV.
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 Understanding of Violence against Women Scale, 2009 to 2021
| Year | Mean score |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 62^ |
| 2013 | 63^ |
| 2017 | 65^ |
| 2021 | 69 |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher understanding.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
^: statistically significant difference to the 2021 mean score.
State and territory
Mean score on the Understanding of Violence against Women Scale, by jurisdiction, 2017 and 2021
| Jurisdiction | 2017 | 2021 (baseline) |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 65^ | 69 |
| Vic | 65^ | 69 |
| Qld | 66^ | 69 |
| WA | 64^ | 68 |
| SA | 65^ | 68 |
| Tas | 65^ | 69 |
| ACT | 64^ | 69 |
| NT | 64^ | 68 |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher understanding.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
^: statistically significant difference between 2017 and 2021 mean score.
Subscale
Mean score on the Understanding of Violence against Women Scale, by Subscale, 2017 and 2021
| Subscale | 2017 | 2021 (baseline) |
|---|---|---|
| Recognise Violence Against Women Subscale | 63^ | 68 |
| Recognise Domestic Violence Subscale | 65^ | 69 |
| Understand Gendered Domestic Violence Subscale | n.a. | 65~ |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher understanding.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
^: statistically significant difference between 2017 and 2021 mean score.
~: asked of one quarter of the sample.
Population characteristics
Gender
Mean score on the Understanding of Violence against Women Scale, by gender, 2017 and 2021
| Gender | 2017 | 2021 (baseline) |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 67^ | 70 |
| Men | 63^ | 67 |
| Non–binary respondents | n.a. | 70 |
| Persons | 65^ | 69 |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher understanding.
- 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 Understanding of Violence against Women Scale, by age group, 2017 and 2021
| Age group | 2017 | 2021 (baseline) |
|---|---|---|
| 16–24 | 62^ | 66 |
| 25–34 | 64^ | 68 |
| 35–44 | 65^ | 68 |
| 45–54 | 67^ | 70 |
| 55–64 | 67^ | 70 |
| 65–74 | 66^ | 70 |
| 75+ | 64^ | 68 |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher understanding.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
^: statistically significant difference between 2017 and 2021 mean score.
Sexuality
Mean score on the Understanding of Violence against Women Scale, by sexuality, 2021
| Sexuality | 2021 (baseline) |
|---|---|
| Heterosexual | 69 |
| Lesbian | 73 |
| Gay | 69 |
| Bisexual or Pansexual | 71 |
| Asexual, queer or diverse sexualities | 69 |
Notes:
- Weighted data.
- Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher understanding.
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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