4
The strongest attitudinal driver of unfavorable views toward Hillary Clinton was
disagreeing that the country would be better off with more women in ofce.
About one-third of all Trump voters (36%) disagreed that the country would be
better off with more women in political office. Additionally, one-third of men who
voted for President Trump (32%) said men generally make better political leaders
than women. One in three adults (32%) felt sexism prevented Clinton from winning.
2
5
President Trumps comments and behavior toward women expressed in the
Access Hollywood tape had a profound impact.
Most adults (91%) said the comments were unacceptable, and 61% felt upset by Two-thirds of the population (67%), including many non-voters, said they were doing
them, including 66% of women and 55% of men. After party affiliation, reactions some things differently as a direct result of Trump winning the election, such as paying
to Trumps comments on the Access Hollywood tape was the biggest predictor of more attention to news and donating to an organization. When we ran regression
his favorability ratings in our 2016 survey: more than political ideology, age, analysis, we found the number one predictor of taking action after the election was
gender, race, ethnicity, rural/metro area, education, and beliefs about gender. feeling upset by Trumps comments and behavior toward women expressed on the
Access Hollywood tape - more than feeling unfavorable toward him, party affiliation,
One in four Latina women and Black women (25% each) felt more physically support for Clinton, ideology, or any other variable in our analysis.
unsafe as a result of President Trumps comments. Close to a third (29%) of Latina
women said they or a friend or family member re-experienced trauma as a result.
Close to one in four women Clinton voters (23%) said Trumps comments or
perceptions of sexism in the election had a harmful effect on a personal
We saw the data come to life a month later, on the
relationship(s). placards of millions of people who participated in the
The Presidents comments and behavior toward women had lasting effects. Half
Womens Marches on January 21, 2017.
of mothers (50%) and 35% of fathers said they were teaching their children about
consent or sexual assault issues as a direct result of President Trump winning the
election. One in three adults (32%) said they were feeling less tolerant of sexism
in their life as a direct result of the election.
About one-third of adults felt that President Trump winning the election would
increase the likelihood of women feeling unsafe (38%) more sexual assault (30%),
sexism (34%), and men feeling entitled to treat women as sexual objects (34%).
About half or more Latina women, Black women, and college-educated women
said these things were more likely to happen because of President Trumps
comments.
3
Since then... 51%
I think that white men... like myself, Ive never been in a
situation where I was pregnant and didnt know what to
do. And so, I know how I feel about [abortion]. But
without having a woman in the room you just need all
We have heard comments in our focus groups that we may not have of Black women opinions at the table when youre crafting this stuff. And
heard in previous years, such as an anti-abortion man talking about have faced sexual it seems to be very one sided. Especially when it comes
too many white men making laws about women. We have also seen pressure or force. to crafting a law, I mean youre talking about something
some interesting poll findings. thats going to affect 50% of the population and their
rights. Virginia anti-abortion Republican man
71%
St. Louis Democrat woman
4
1
A solid majority of voters (69%) now thinks the country would be better off
with more women in ofce - up 17 points since last December (52%).
2
Sexism is a big problem in our society, say 44% of voters - up 14 points from
late 2016 (30%).
3
Seven in ten voters (73%) say the sexual harassment and assault stories have
WHERE ARE WE NOW? made them think more about sexism in our society. This is in addition to 40%
of voters who said last year that the 2016 election made them think more about
sexism in society.
SOMEWHERE NEW.
4
People are talking now. Seven in ten (72%) voters say they have talked to a friend
or family member about issues related to gender equality in the past year - a
In the midst of the watershed moment on sexual harassment and assault, PerryUndem major increase from last December (49%).
fielded a survey of n = 1,058 voters nationwide from November 24 through 28, 2017.
5
The data suggest we are in a new place on gender, sexism, and equality. The Many men are reecting. Forty-three percent of male voters in the survey say
differences we see are significant and the speed with which they seem to have changed the recent stories about harassment and assault have made them wonder about
are uncommon in our experience. their own interactions with women in the past. About half of men in the survey
(47%) does not think any of their actions in the past might have been interpreted
This survey was conducted using the SSRS Probability Panel. SSRS Panel members are as sexually inappropriate or harassment. The rest (53%) are unsure or think
recruited randomly from a dual-frame random digit dial (RDD) sample, through the someone might have interpreted their actions as such.
SSRS Omnibus Survey. This recruiting design relies on an existing, high-quality survey
platform resulting in a probabilistically-sourced panel. The margin of sampling error on 6
the total results is + 4 percentage points. The associations voters tend to have when thinking of President Trump and
women are not positive.
7
Additionally, most voters think President Trump has denitely or probably
harassed or assaulted women and 76% think there should be an
investigation into these allegations.
5
8 12
Voters perceive harassment and assault as related to a desire for power Three-quarters of respondents (74%) do not think male politicians who
and control over women (86% probably or denitely) - more so than a have sexually harassed women are still able to do a good job
desire to date women (52%). representing the interests of women. Fifty-seven percent say they are not
willing to tolerate such a politician, even if he has the potential to pass laws
9 they support. Three in ten (29%) are not sure.
Majorities think our culture pressures or encourages men to dominate
others (73%) and does not teach women they are safe in their bodies 13
(61%). One in three men voters (34%) says he has felt pressure or Republican men are the only segment in which a majority (55%) does not
encouragement to dominate or be in charge of others. think our culture teaches men to dominate or be in charge of others.
These men are also likely to agree (59%) that discrimination against men is
10 becoming as big of a problem as discrimination against women. We did not
Two-thirds of women voters (64%) say our culture does not teach women ask this question in our 2016 survey, but we did ask about discrimination
to speak up freely about harassment or assault. Men tend to agree (55%). against whites becoming as big a problem as discrimination against Blacks,
Latinos, or other racial/ethnic minorities. We found 76% of Republican male
11 voters agreed with that view.
Voters perceive power dynamics in relationships as skewed toward men,
particularly at work. Two-thirds (66%) think it is more common in work
THE DETAILS...
relationships that men have more power and control over women, compared
to vice versa (5%). Twenty-nine percent feel there tends to be a balance of
power and control.
6
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN VOTERS VIEWS AND CONVERSATIONS
IN ONE YEARS TIME.
65%
30% 52%
NOV. 2017
87%
TALKED WITH FRIEND(S) OR FAMILY MEMBER(S)
_____ HAS MADE ME THINK MORE ABOUT ISSUES RELATED TO WOMENS EQUALITY
ABOUT SEXISM IN OUR SOCIETY IN THE PAST YEAR
THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN AND ELECTION DEC. 2016 DEC. 2016 say men have
more positions of
40% 49% power in society
NEWS STORIES ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT NOV. 2017 NOV. 2017
Note: All 2016 data are based on registered voters in the survey
(which was conducted among the general adult population). 7
IN THE WORKPLACE, DO YOU THINK
THAT WOMEN HAVE ...
DEC. 2016
Same 24%
AGREE THAT MOST WOMEN INTERPRET
INNOCENT REMARKS OR ACTS AS SEXISM
Depends 20%
DEC. 2016
8%
32% somewhat
strongly NOV. 2017
NOV. 2017
More opportunities than men 5%
8%
32% somewhat
strongly
Fewer 52%
Same 20%
Depends 22%
8
A CLOSER LOOK AT AGREEING
THE COUNTRY WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITH MORE WOMEN IN OFFICE
46%
42%
29%
27%
WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN
DEMOCRATS INDEPENDENTS REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS INDEPENDENTS REPUBLICANS
9
BY DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS OF VOTERS.
10
FEWER THAN HALF HOLDS THESE BELIEFS ABOUT WOMEN AND ROLES.
PERCENT AGREE
Women 37% agree Women 28% agree Women 33% agree Women 35% agree
Men 43% Men 36% Men 27% Men 42%
Republican women 54% Republican men 39% Republican women 42% Republican men 59%
Republican men 47% Independent men 39% Independent men 32% Republican women 48%
Independent men 46% Republican women 33% Independent women 27% Independent men 46%
Independent women 34% Independent women 33% Republican men 31% Independent women 36%
Democrat men 30% Democrat men 28% Democrat women 31% Democrat women 24%
Democrat women 30% Democrat women 26% Democrat men 19% Democrat men 22%
11
VIEWS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, WOMEN, HARASSMENT, AND ASSAULT.
Do you think President Trump has sexually What is the rst word that comes to mind when you think of
harassed or assaulted women in his past? President Trump and women? OPEN END
Definitely 45%
Probably 31%
Definitely not 4%
12
RESPONSES TO NEWS STORIES ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT.
79%
In general, who are you more likely to believe: AMONG MEN: As a result of these news
stories, have you wondered whether any
85% 13%
of your interactions with women in the
Have been following the recent past might have been interpreted as
news about sexual harassment and inappropriate?
assault allegations of celebrities and
43% Yes
politicians very (36%) or somewhat
WOMEN making MEN who deny
(43%) closely.
allegations of these allegations.
sexual harassment
or assault.
2 in 3
harassed or assaulted a woman?
57% 40% 73% Say these news stories have made them
think more about sexism in our society.
Men have talked with a woman
about these stories (66%) and 68%
OF WOMEN OF MEN of women have talked with a man
SAY YES SAY YES about the stories.
13
ON POLITICIANS ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR ASSAULT.
Do you think male politicians who have Are you willing to tolerate a politician who
sexually harassed women are still able to do has faced multiple allegations of sexual
a good job representing the interests of harassment, if he or she has the potential to
95%
women, or not? pass laws you support?
YES
Of voters in the Men voters 17%
survey think there Women voters 12% 14% YES
or assault.
YES
Men voters 25% NOT SURE
Women voters 24% Men voters 30%
Women voters 28%
Republican women 37%
Independent men 26% Republican women 37%
Republican men 25% Independent women 35%
Democrat women 24% Republican men 32%
Democrat men 22% Democrat men 29%
Independent women 19% Independent men 28%
Democrat women 20%
14
BY DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS OF VOTERS.
Should there be Should there be Can men accused Are you willing to
Trump harassed or an investigation investigations of harassment or tolerate a politician
assaulted women into accusations when politicians assault represent if they would pass
(% Definitely or of harassment / are accused of the interests of laws you support
probably) assault of Trump harassment / women (% No)
(% Yes) assault (% No)
(% Yes)
15
CHANGES ACROSS VOTERS BETWEEN 2016 AND 2017.
16
WHAT FACTORS RELATE
We asked respondents to weigh in on whether each of seven factors - from
cultural power to excessive testosterone - relates to men sexually harassing or
assaulting women. The next page has a diagram illustrating findings.
HARASSING AND The most commonly perceived factors are about power and control over
women.
ASSAULTING WOMEN?
2
Power and control are much more at play in respondents minds than wanting
to date or start a relationship with the woman.
3
We do not see major gender differences overall.
4
We looked at respondents who may be closer to this issue: those who know
someone who has sexually harassed or assaulted a woman. These
respondents are more likely than others to perceive a connection to power
and control.
17
If you had to guess, do you think any of these things relate to
men sexually harassing or assaulting women?
Percent definitely or probably
86%
The desire for power
88% 52% and control over
Men 79%
Men 86% Assuming they wont get Women 91%
Men 59% Wanting to date or women
Women 90% caught or face
Women 46% start a relationship
consequences
with the woman
Know someone who has
14%
Know someone who has harassed or assaulted a
denitely
harassed or assaulted a woman (60% definitely v.
woman (58% definitely v. 51% 38% of those who do not
42% of those who do not 50% denitely know someone)
know someone) denitely
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
AND ASSAULT BY MEN
41%
Men 38% Excessive
Women 44% testosterone
57% 84%
Men living in a culture Men 81%
Not knowing
10% Men 59% where they have more Women 87%
what harassment or Women 56%
denitely power than women
assault is
76%
Male sexual desire 20% Know someone who has
harassed or assaulted a
Men 78% denitely
woman (57% definitely v.
Women 75% 46% 30% of those who do not
denitely know someone)
35%
denitely
18
ALL VOTERS
MEN
A balance 34%
19
Which do you think is more common in work
relationships between a man and a woman:
DEMOCRATS
INDEPENDENTS
REPUBLICANS
20
ALL VOTERS
A balance 49%
The man tends to have more power and control
The woman tends to have more power and control Man has more 44%
MEN
A balance 45%
21
Which do you think is more common in personal
romantic relationships between a man and a woman:
DEMOCRATS
INDEPENDENTS
REPUBLICANS
22
CULTURAL FORCES.
DO YOU THINK OUR CULTURE PRESSURES OR ENCOURAGES MEN TO
% YES
BRAG ABOUT SEX TRY TO HAVE MANY SEXUAL PARTNERS DOMINATE OR BE IN CHARGE OF OTHERS
TOTAL 29%
YES 79% 73% 73%
TOTAL YES 21% 61% NO; 17% NOT SURE 26% 59% NO; 15% NOT SURE
Of men said they Of women Of women
have been in a thought a focus thought our
MEN 23% 57% NO; 20% NOT SURE 29% 55% NO; 17% NOT SURE locker room where on beauty and culture teaches
someone bragged the sexuality of girls to aspire to
about grabbing women in our marriage (v. 23%
WOMEN 20% 65% NO; 15% NOT SURE 24% 64% NO; 13% NOT SURE women without culture affects who said it
their consent. womens rights teaches boys the
and equality. same aspiration).
23
A majority of all voters think our culture pressures men
to be in charge of others...except Republican men.
Do you think our culture pressures or encourages men to dominate or be in charge of others?
PERCENT OF VOTERS IN THE SURVEY
BY PARTY ID AND GENDER
% YES % NO
20% DEM WOMEN
75% 76%
75% 15% IND WOMEN
70%
19% IND MEN
30%
25% 25% 26%
10%
WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN WOMEN MEN
DEMOCRATS INDEPENDENTS REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS INDEPENDENTS REPUBLICANS
24
HAS THERE EVER BEEN A TIME WHEN YOU PERSONALLY FELT ANY
PRESSURE OR ENCOURAGEMENT TO
AMONG MEN (N = 468)
% YES
BRAG ABOUT SEX TRY TO HAVE MANY SEXUAL PARTNERS DOMINATE OR BE IN CHARGE OF OTHERS
REPUBLICAN
25% 24% 27%
MEN
25
WE DID NOT ASK Because many recent surveys already have.
About 60% of women in recent surveys say
they have experienced sexual harassment.
ABOUT EXPERIENCE
WITH SEXUAL
HARASSMENT. BUT, IN OUR 2016 SURVEY ...
26
Percent of women who experience
at least once in awhile:
December 2016
76%
54%
Hearing sexist
language
by a man in an
inappropriate way
without their consent.
68%
Feeling treated with
less respect
b/c of being a
Independent (67%) and woman
Democrat (55%) women more
than Republican women (44%) 58% Women under 45
Feeling judged as (69% v. 48% ages 45+)
a sexual object
27
AND FROM OUR 2017 SURVEY OF BLACK ADULTS...
The Lives and Voices of Black America, national survey of n = 1,003 Black adults, July 18 to August 7, 2017
56% HAVE FACED AT LEAST ONE OF THE ABOVE SITUATIONS. 64% HAVE FACED AT LEAST ONE OF THE ABOVE SITUATIONS.
51% FACED SEXUAL PRESSURE OR FORCE. 59% HAVE FACED SEXUAL PRESSURE OR FORCE.
28
A CLOSER LOOK AT PRESIDENT TRUMPS SUPPORTERS.
AMONG VOTERS WHO HAVE A FAVORABLE IMPRESSION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP
BASE N = 378 VOTERS
63%
Say stories of assault Have talked about Have talked about Say sexism is a big
and harassment have these stories with gender equality in the or somewhat of a
made them think someone of the past year problem in our
more about sexism in opposite gender society
our society
29
43%
Of Trump supporters think there
38%
Think President Trump has
22%
Of Trump supporters have
should be an investigation into probably or definitely harassed or not heard of the Access
the sexual harassment / assault assaulted women in his past (62% Hollywood tape
allegations of President Trump say probably or definitely not )
Among Trump supporters who think Among those who do not think
there should be an investigation, 43% President Trump has harassed or
think Trump has probably harassed or assaulted women:
assaulted women in the past; 49%
think he probably has not. Do you think President Trump was
lying on the Access Hollywood tape
Among those who do not think there when he talked about grabbing women
should be an investigation, 66% do not in the genitalia without their consent?
think Trump has harassed or assaulted
women (52% probably; 14% definitely) 44% He was lying
and 32% say he probably has. 20% He was telling the truth
35% I havent heard about this
30
CONCLUSION.
Times are changing. Starting in 2015, we began to see the simmering of a new womens
movement. In a typical focus group among women, we would hear one of eight women
around the table mention womens rights as an issue facing the country. It tended to be
just one participant, but it was consistent across many groups. We had never heard this in
our careers as pollsters.
In our analyses, Clintons loss and President Trumps comments toward women as MORE INFORMATION
expressed in the Access Hollywood tape were major drivers of taking action after the TRESA UNDEM
election, including participating in the Womens March. We have heard from Democrat tresa@perryundem.com
and some independent voters in focus groups that the Womens March was a major
turning point. Seeing millions of people march for women gave them hope and made
them feel empowered.
We think these cultural events - Clintons loss, President Trumps comments toward
women, and the Womens March - may have contributed to a new atmosphere in which
women are coming forward around sexual assault and harassment.
The data suggest major shifts are under foot, including perceptions about culture and
power in our society. We look forward to exploring how voters evolve, or not, in 2018.
31