The Alberta Council of Women's Shelters commissioned the first ever survey of men's attitudes toward domestic violence and the results were both encouraging and disturbing.

Awareness of domestic abuse issues is increasing in Alberta, but a new survey indicates there is still a long way to go.

The telephone survey targeted a thousand men from across the province and provides the first ever look at the attitudes surrounding domestic abuse.

The survey found that eight per cent of men thought domestic violence was okay under certain circumstances and 48 percent believe provocative clothing puts a woman at risk of rape.

Alberta Premier, Alison Redford, was part of a panel discussing the survey's findings.

"It's something that we need to talk about. We talk about it in the context always of traditional frameworks. This is unfortunate in Alberta, an area where we have high statistics," said Redford.

Calgary police are confronted with domestic violence on a daily basis. Chief Rick Hanson says he was surprised by some of the survey's findings.

"It still shocks me that one in ten people think that's acceptable. It indicates that though we've come a long ways, we've still got a long ways to go," said Chief Hanson.

The survey did uncover some positive findings.

The majority of men surveyed, 93 per cent, agreed that domestic violence can happen in any family.

"So for us it will be really helpful in helping to have targeted responses that can help make our communities and our homes safer," said Jan Reimer from the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters.

The survey also found that:

  • 54 per cent claim violence against women and girls impacts the women they care about.
  • 91 per cent would likely intervene if they knew someone in a violent relationship.
  • 21 per cent have witnessed abusive or harassing behavior in public and most did get involved.
  • 95 per cent of men feel that violence against women and girls is a concern to them.
  • 99 per cent agree that "men can personally make a difference in promoting healthy, respectful, non-violent relationships."

To read the full report on the Domestic Violence Survey, click on the ACWS link.