Report Reveals Significant Decrease in Female Homicide Victims by Men Over Past Three Decades
According to Patty Kinnersly, “These are positive changes, but zero is the only acceptable number of gender-based homicides.”
A recent national report on violence against women shows a 66% decrease in women killed by men over the past thirty years.
Published on July 26, the report also indicates a decrease in harmful attitudes that fuel violence in the last two decades.
CEO of Our Watch, Patty Kinnersly, stated that while 43 women have reportedly died due to men’s violence this year, Australia is making strides in preventing violence against women.
“These are positive steps, but zero gender-based homicides remains the ultimate goal, and there is still much work to be done to reduce violence against women,” she added.
The report highlights a 13% decrease in young men supporting harmful ideas of masculinity in the past five years.
Additionally, there has been a 12% decline in young men feeling pressured to conform to rigid ideals of masculinity in the same timeframe.
Kinnersly stated that these findings show positive momentum in challenging the cultures of masculinity that contribute to violence against women.
She mentioned, “Men who hold rigid and harmful views of masculinity are significantly more likely to engage in intimate partner violence, emphasizing the connection between attitudes and behavior.”
“It’s crucial to show young men that there are diverse ways to define masculinity,” she emphasized.
Intimate Partner Homicides Increased
While sexual violence saw a notable increase from 2012 to 2016, it remained stable from 2016 to 2021-22, as per the report.
There was a decrease in the percentage of women experiencing intimate partner physical violence in 2021-22; however, there was no change in intimate partner sexual violence during the same period.
The report also highlights a decline in women experiencing sexual harassment from males between 2016 and 2021-22.
The data on intimate partner homicides in the report indicates a rise from 27 women in 2020-2021 to 34 women in 2022-23.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls experience significantly higher rates of murder compared to non-Aboriginal females,” the report mentioned.
Men Need To Appreciate Positives of Masculinity: Study
A separate study published in the International Journal of Health Sciences emphasizes the impact of men’s views on their masculinity on their mental well-being.
The study suggests that helping men appreciate the positive aspects of their masculinity may promote good mental health.
Despite challenges, the paper emphasizes the need for a more realistic and healthy narrative about men and masculinity, countering negative stereotypes that may have harmful effects.
