Australians underestimate domestic violence: survey

One in four Australians blame women who do not leave their abusive partners.

A new nation-wide survey published on Wednesday found that while over 90 per cent of Australians know domestic violence is a problem, their understanding is only surface level.

Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) surveyed almost 20,000 Australians in 2021.

Almost half of the respondents mistakenly believed domestic violence was equally committed by men and women.

More than 80 per cent said domestic violence could not be excused if the violent person was remorseful.

A third of respondents thought women exaggerated unequal treatment of women in Australia and more than a third believed women used sexual assault accusations to get back at men.

ANROWS chief Padma Raman said the results were "extremely worrying". 

"We still have a long way to go in correcting victim-blaming attitudes and rape myths," she said.

The federal government committed to eliminating domestic violence within one generation, establishing a National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children in 2022.

The 10-year plan includes recovery supports for survivors, prevention strategies and behaviour change programs.

Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said the new survey data reflected statistics in the government's own Status of Women Report Card from March this year.

"We are not there yet and, in some aspects of women's lives, progress has stalled," Senator Gallagher said.

Census data revealed one in four women experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member compared to one in eight men.

Women were more likely than men to experience stalking, sexual violence and economic and emotional abuse, especially by someone they know.

Census data also found most victims of domestic violence name a male perpetrator.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said gaining insight into Australia's attitudes and beliefs towards violence against women was vital to achieve a violence-free future.

"Ending violence against women and children is everybody's responsibility and everybody's business," she said.

"By all pulling in the same direction we can achieve this, but governments can't do it on their own."

The report was launched at Parliament House with women's safety advocates Rosie Batty and Chanel Contos.