Survey to gauge change in attitudes towards DFV

Published: 01 Mar 2021 9:55am

The community’s perceptions on domestic and family violence (DFV) and how attitudes in Wagga Wagga have changed in the past five years are being collected in a new survey which opened this week.

Wagga Wagga City Council, in partnership with the Wagga Wagga Women’s Health Centre (WWHC), has delivered theDVproject:2650, which is now nearing the end of its third year.

The project was funded for delivery in Wagga Wagga after a 2016 survey conducted by the WWHC found that many community members held low support for gender equality, adhere to rigid or stereotypical gender roles, and hold attitudes and beliefs that justify, excuse, trivialise or minimise DFV.

As a result of the 2016 findings, funding was secured for theDVproject:2650, a three-year primary prevention program, which has also delivered several projects highlighting the importance of respect and equity to the local community.

The second survey will be open to the public through March and April and aims to measure if the community’s perceptions on DFV have changed in the past five years.

Council’s Equity Project Manager Maryna Bilousova said it is important as many people as possible complete the survey to help in gaining a deeper understanding of the community’s current attitudes and perceptions of DFV, and primary prevention approaches.

“The 2016 findings were very concerning and indicated the priority areas of focus for theDVproject:2650. The project has focused on organisational change, sector engagement and partnerships and community-wide awareness campaigns across the City,” Ms Bilousova said.

“We are interested to learn if our project activities have made an impact on people’s knowledge and understanding of equity and respect.

“The survey takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, is anonymous, and will inform activities in primary prevention of domestic and family violence.”

The survey can be completed online at: www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/dvsurvey