When societies, institutions, communities or individuals support or condone violence against women, levels of such violence are higher.

Justifying violence

Suggesting violence is justified in certain circumstances, for example, believing that violence is justified if a woman cheats on her partner. 

Excusing violence

Attributing violence to external factors, for example, believing that rape results from men not being able to control their need for sex. 

Trivialising violence

Suggesting violence is not serious enough to warrant action, for example, believing that domestic violence is a private matter. 

Downplaying violence

Denying its seriousness, denying that it occurs or denying that certain behaviours are violence at all. For example, believing that women make up or exaggerate claims of domestic violence to support child custody claims. 

Shifting blame for violence

Shifting blame from the perpetrator to the victim. For example, believing that if a woman is raped while drunk, she is partly responsible. 

• Challenge comments, questions and jokes that justify, excuse, trivialise or downplay violence against women in daily life. 
• Change systems and practices that justify, excuse, trivialise or downplay violence against women and their children or shift blame from the perpetrator to the victim, including in the media and justice system.