Income Income had a minimal impact of the understanding of the law. The only difference found for the difference income levels was between residents earning above $150,000 and residents earning $50,000 and below on whether rape exists in a sexual relationship. Residents earning above $150,000 (2.0%) were 3.6 times more likely to agree rape does not exist in a sexual relationship than residents earning $50,000 and below (5.7%).
Comments & Recommendations • •
There is an increased understanding that rape can exist in relationships. However, it is unclear why there is a decreased perception that DV is a criminal offence. More initiatives are required to create awareness among other ethnicities about DV being a criminal offence and that rape can exist in relationships.
Prevalence of domestic violence Those who understand the prevalence of domestic violence generally tend to find it unacceptable and likely to intervene when they witness abusive behaviours (Gracia & Herrero, 2006). In general, there is a reasonably high level of awareness on the prevalence of domestic violence in the Wagga Wagga community. This level of awareness, however, has significantly decreased in the past 5 years from 2016 to 2021 (see table 18). This significant decrease could reflect an actual reduction in domestic violence in the Wagga Wagga community or a decreased awareness. We found that residents in 2016 were 1.8 times more likely to agree domestic violence is a serious issue for Wagga Wagga than residents in 2021. Similarly, residents in 2016 were 3.5 times more likely to agree domestic violence is common in Wagga Wagga. Table 18. Responses (as percentages of the entire survey population who agree) to statements about the prevalence of domestic violence. Wagga Wagga 2021 %
Wagga Wagga 2016 %
Significant Difference
Domestic violence is a serious issue for Wagga Wagga*
83.0
87.5
Yes
Domestic violence is common in Wagga Wagga*
73.1
82.8
Yes
Domestic violence occurs in gay and lesbian relationships
83.9
82.3
No
Note: *indicates a significant difference
Gender Males and females differed on their perceptions of domestic violence prevalence, particularly in their community (see table 19). Females were more likely to agree that domestic violence is prevalent than males. Specifically, females were 2.3 times more likely to agree that domestic violence is a serious issue for Wagga Wagga, and 2.3 times more likely to agree that domestic violence is common in Wagga Wagga, than males. Female residents were also 1.6 times more likely to agree that domestic violence occurs in gay and lesbian relationships than males. Table 19. Responses (as percentages of the entire survey population who agree) to statements about the prevalence of domestic violence, as separated by gender. Males %
Females %
Significant Difference
Domestic violence is a serious issue for Wagga Wagga*
76.5
88.7
Yes
Domestic violence is common in Wagga Wagga*
80.5
86.9
Yes
Domestic violence occurs in gay and lesbian relationships*
63.8
81.5
Yes
Note: *indicates a significant difference
