Men’s violence remains a persistent and preventable public health crisis in Australia with profound impacts particularly on victim-survivors. Understanding the drivers and enablers of men’s violence is crucial to developing policy and programs that can contribute to domestic, family and sexual violence prevention, early intervention and response.
The research outlined in this report is the first Man Box study in Australia to focus on a specific jurisdiction, using the NSW data from the Man Box 2024 study. In addition to examining Man Box attitudes (relating to rigid masculine norms) and outcomes in the NSW sample, and comparing these to national data, this report includes additional analysis related to a second set of attitudes (not included in the national report): endorsement of anti-feminist statements that support violence against women or do not support gender equality.
The purpose of this report on NSW data from the Man Box 2024 study is to contribute to building the evidence base for the primary prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence across NSW.
The report finds that:
- Consistent with the national study, NSW has a problem when it comes to the perpetration of intimate partner violence, whether physical or sexual.
- In NSW, approximately half of the men surveyed feel societal expectations in relation to the Man Box.
- While personal endorsement of Man Box rules was generally lower than the perceived societal pressure, a minority of men personally endorsed these rigid social norms.
- There is an association between higher rates of Man Box endorsement and higher rates of reported perpetration of intimate partner violence.
- Use of violent pornography is widespread amongst NSW men surveyed, especially those who endorse rigid masculine norms.
- Young men surveyed in NSW have poor mental health, and this is especially so for those who ascribe to the Man Box beliefs.
- There are correlations between rigid adherence to masculine norms and engagement in problem gambling and risky drinking.
- Men surveyed that agree with anti-feminist statements were more likely to endorse rigid masculine norms, a risk factor for intimate partner violence.
- NSW young men surveyed who agree with anti-feminist statements are more likely to have used violent pornography, engaged in risky drinking, and have a gambling problem.
