This paper describes "violence-supportive attitudes and beliefs" and their influence on individual and community responses to violence. The authors analyze trends that demonstrate shifts in these beliefs since 1995. According to the study: "Most Victorian women and men, regardless of their socio-economic status or cultural background, did not hold Ôviolence-supportive' attitudes on many of the measures used in the survey. Attitudes had improved on most measures since 1995."
This study measured:
- Beliefs about the prevalence and seriousness of violence against women
- Understanding of who perpetrates and is affected by violence
- Belief in explanations diminishing men's responsibility for violence
- Beliefs about victim, community and systemic responses to violence
- Preparedness to intervene in situations of domestic violence
The article also discusses theories and evidence behind the formation and change of community attitudes, reviews a number of campaign themes and approaches that have been undertaken, and makes recommendations for effectively influencing community attitudes towards violence against women.
