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Views towards sexual assault allegations against federal politicians and staffers

16 Mar 2021

Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding sexual assault allegations against federal politicians and staffers?

TOTAL: Agree Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
This is just a Canberra insider story 16% 23% 9% 13% 23% 12% 11% 21% 12% 24%
What is happening in Canberra is relevant to all women 68% 62% 75% 56% 72% 75% 77% 66% 71% 63%
It’s time women were believed when they say they have been assaulted 67% 58% 76% 59% 69% 71% 76% 64% 69% 55%
Because the charge of rape is so serious, the burden of proof needs to be high 62% 66% 59% 51% 64% 71% 59% 74% 43% 61%
Base (n) 997 505 492 294 346 357 321 367 89 132
  • There is widespread agreement that what is happening in Canberra is relevant to all women (68%) and it’s time women were believed when they say they have been assaulted (67%). Over a third of people strongly agree with each statement (38% and 36% respectively).
  • Agreement with these two statements is high overall, but highest among women (75% and 76% respectively), those over 55 (75% and 71% respectively) and Labor voters (77% and 76% respectively).
  • 62% agree that because the charge of rape is so serious, the burden of proof needs to be high. While 59% of women agree with this statement, agreement is higher among men (66%). Agreement with this statement is also high among those over 55 (71%) and Coalition voters (74%).
  • Just 16% of people agree the recent sexual assault allegations against federal politicians and staffers is just a Canberra insider story.
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