Download this factsheet as a PDF here
Download key findings of attitudes on gender roles and sexual violence here
Public perceptions and attitudes towards violence against women
Below are the results from an attitudinal survey, conducted between 2012 to 2013, among 1,322 respondents (50.5% female and 49.5% male) to understand Singaporeans’ attitudes towards violence against women and identify gaps which suggest the need for education. The survey was conducted as part of the We Can! Campaign, and was collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Psychology Studies programme, which aims to change social attitudes that perpetuate violence against women.
Recommendations
Raise public awareness on non-physical violence, with understanding that age, gender, and background affect beliefs and attitudes.
Educate and inform bystanders with knowledge and tools to reduce violence against women.
Provide social support for women in violent relationships so they have a choice to leave.
Challenge beliefs and attitudes about gender roles and expectations, especially in men and youth.
Overview
Violence against women is a pressing issue in Singapore.
- 1 in 10 women in Singapore experience lifetime physical violence by a male (International Violence Against Women Survey, 2010).
- 6 in 10 victims of physical violence suffer repeated victimisation (ibid).
- Outrage of modesty cases[1] reported remain high between 1,369 and 1,450 over the past three years (Singapore Police Force, 2015).[2]
Less awareness of non-physical violence
- Respondents show high levels of recognition of physical violence but lower levels of recognition of non-physical violence
- 11.0% – 16.0% more women than men identified non-physical acts as violence.
Men hold more conservative views about gender roles
- 57.0% of respondents think that men are the ‘head of the household’ and should make most of the decisions in the family.
· Among those aged 18-29, 66.0% of men and 43.0% of women agree. - 52.0% think that women should take care of household chores and caregiving.
· Among those aged 18-29, 58.0% of men and 38.2% of women agree. - Younger men (aged 18-29) hold the most conservative views. There is around 20.0% of difference in opinions among genders.
Sexual Violence – Victim blaming attitude is common
- 1 in 10 respondents think women who are raped are often “asking for it.”
- 40.0% of respondents aged 18-39 and over 50.0% of respondents aged 40 and above agree that women who wear provocative clothing are “asking for it” and should bear responsibility for harassment.
- Such victim-blaming attitudes contribute to restricting women’s sexual freedom, legitimising sexual harassment and resulting in unsupportive first response to victims.
Stronger support for victims of relationship violence needed
- 71.7% of women abused by partners are not likely to make a police report. (International Violence Against Women Survey, 2010).
- 83.0% of the respondents believe that women should stay in violent relationships under some circumstances (e.g. if they have children).
[1] Includes both men and women
[2] Annual Statistical Reports on Crime in Singapore