Violence against women: a pilot study on the perception of Apulian High School students

Abstract Violence Against Women (VAW) is a widespread issue deeply rooted in social and cultural structures. Affecting women of all ages and backgrounds, VAW is often underreported due to stigma and victim-blaming. This study explores young people’s perceptions of VAW in the Apulia region (Southern Italy), using a local survey inspired by a national framework on gender stereotypes and attitudes towards VAW. The survey gathers insights into youth opinions on gender roles, the acceptability of violence, and awareness of VAW within their communities, aiming to uncover the underlying attitudes that perpetuate this issue. The analysis combines two methodological approaches to examine these data. A network-based approach explores relationships within item responses, allowing for an in-depth look at the direct interactions among youth attitudes. This approach is paired with a psychometric model based on Item Response Theory, specifically the Graded Response Model, which interprets attitudes as manifestations of latent traits, revealing how different factors shape perceptions of VAW. Together, these methods offer a comprehensive analysis of young people’s views on VAW, highlighting both individual response patterns and broader cultural trends essential for designing effective interventions. Findings indicate a gradual shift in attitudes toward gender roles; however, traditional views remain prevalent, especially among young males. Socioeconomic factors, such as parents’ employment status, also contribute to the persistence of stereotypes, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address and reduce VAW in youth populations.