Feeling unsafe? Find support services   emergency? call 000

Research

Our research

Violence against women and their children affects everybody. It impacts on the health, wellbeing and safety of a significant proportion of Australians throughout all states and territories and places an enormous burden on the nation’s economy across family and community services, health and hospitals, income-support and criminal justice systems.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

News and events

ANROWS hosts events as part of its knowledge transfer and exchange work, including public lectures, workshops and research launches. Details of upcoming ANROWS activities and news are available from the list on the right.

ANROWS

About ANROWS

ANROWS was established by the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments of Australia to produce, disseminate and assist in applying evidence for policy and practice addressing violence against women and their children.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

Resources

To support the take-up of evidence, ANROWS offers a range of resources developed from research to support practitioners and policy-makers in delivering evidence-based interventions.

National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)


The periodic National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey, or NCAS, tells us how people understand violence against women, their attitudes towards it, what influences their attitudes, and if there has been a change over time. It also gauges attitudes to gender equality and people’s preparedness to intervene when witnessing violence or its precursors.



The National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey, or NCAS, is a resource for anyone wanting to understand and prevent the serious and prevalent problem of violence against women.

It can be used by community educators, policymakers, program planners, researchers, journalists and students.

The NCAS tells us how people understand violence against women, their attitudes towards it, what influences their attitudes, and if there has been a change over time. It also gauges attitudes to gender equality and people’s preparedness to intervene when witnessing violence or its precursors.

The survey collects information through telephone interviews with over 17,500 Australians 16 years of age and over. Results are analysed for:

  • the Australian community as a whole
  • each state and territory
  • young people
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • people from non-English speaking backgrounds
  • other relevant demographic and contextual indicators.

The NCAS is the world’s longest running survey of community attitudes towards violence against women. The first survey took place in 1987. It has evolved over time, with the current NCAS based on a survey used in 1995.

The 2021 NCAS

The periodic National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey, or NCAS, is a population survey conducted every four years, and tells us how Australians understand violence against women, their attitudes towards it, what influences their attitudes, and if there has been a change over time. It also gauges attitudes to gender equality and people’s preparedness to intervene when witnessing violence or its precursors. The NCAS was last conducted in 2017 and is due to go into the field again in 2021, with a report to be produced before the end of 2022.

 

In addition to implementing the 2021 survey, ANROWS has received funding from the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) to conduct two qualitative research studies investigating concerning findings from the 2017 results.

 

Mistrust study

Evidence shows that false reporting of sexual assault is rare. However, there are high levels of community mistrust in women’s reports of sexual assault victimisation in some contexts.

This study aims to develop an understanding of what drives attitudes of mistrust, and contribute to debunking myths about sexual assault.

FIND OUT MORE

Young people’s attitudes study

Young people’s knowledge of violence against women has declined over time, and in 2017 was lower than that of other age groups.

This study will explore young people’s understandings of relationship norms, and how abusive dynamics may be considered part of “normal” relationships. This will highlight opportunities for education and primary prevention.

FIND OUT MORE




Downloads

RESEARCH SUMMARY

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)

Download

RESEARCH REPORT

Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)

Download

RESEARCH REPORT

Methodology report: Survey redevelopment and implementation of the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)

Download

RESEARCH REPORT

National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS): Methodology report appendices

Download
see also

Word document

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)

Download

Word document

Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)

Download

Downloads

RESEARCH REPORT

Young Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality: Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)

Download

RESEARCH REPORT

Attitudes towards violence against women and gender equality among people from non-English speaking countries

Download

RESEARCH REPORT

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)

Download
see also

Word document

Young Australians’ attitudes to violence against women and gender equality: Findings from the 2017 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS)

Download

Word document

Attitudes towards violence against women and gender equality among people from non-English speaking countries

Download

Word document

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)

Download

Back to top