Survey -- Circumstances in which physical force against wife considered

Table 1: Circumstances in which physical force against wife considered

Circumstances % agreeing
Argues with or refuses to obey him 2
Wastes money 2
Doesn’t keep the house clean 2
Doesn’t have meals ready on time 1
Keeps nagging him 4
Refuses to sleep with him 3
Admits to sleeping with another man 11
One or more above circumstance 14
At least one circumstance 19


Source: Public Policy Research Centre Domestic Violence Attitude Survey (1988)

Remarkably, the survey revealed that large sections of the Australian public believe that violence against one's wife can be justified under some circumstances. Overall, 19 per cent of respondents, or nearly one in five, believed that it is acceptable for a man to use physical force against his wife under at least one circumstance. Although men were more likely than women to think that the use of physical force is acceptable (22 per cent to 17 percent), the difference is not as marked as one might expect.

Taken from: www.aic.gov.au/publications/vt/vt2-text.html