Many young people partly blame victims for domestic violence, with more than half believing it is acceptable to track their partner electronically, a new study shows.

The study, conducted by VicHealth, surveyed the views of thousands of 16 to 24 year olds nationally on violence against women and gender equality.

VicHealth chief executive Jerril Rechter said the most concerning finding was that three in five young people believed violence was caused by men being unable to control their anger, with a quarter of respondents prepared to excuse the violence.

"Twenty per cent of young people believe that women often say no when they mean yes," she said.

"And I would say the other part of the report that is concerning for us is that half of young people believe that it is acceptable to some degree to track their partner by electronic means without her consent."

Tracking partners electronically includes checking their phone messages and contacts without their consent.

The study also found young people had a higher level of attitudinal support for violence against women than those aged 35 and above.

Young people also had a lower level of understanding that violence against women was more than just physical violence and forced sex.

They were also less likely to support gender equality in relationships.

But a vast majority of young people did view violence against women as serious and illegal.

Ms Rechter said she hoped the report would help change attitudes and contribute to implementing better policies around the issue.

"This report is an opportunity for us as a community to understand some of the drivers that are creating the attitudes around young people," she said.

"What we really want to make sure is that this report is then used to influence policies.

"We know that if we can change young people's views at that critical life stage, when they're still shaping their views about the world and about society, that we can create a generation of young people who say no to violence against women."

'Getting out is the hardest thing you can ever face': victim

Rebeca Carro was the victim of an abusive relationship for 10 years and she even had family members telling her not to leave.

Ms Carro was physically and mentally abused by her former partner. ( ABC News: Gloria Kalache )

"My mother she basically told me 'you stay there it was your fault'," Ms Carro said.

"That's what I want to stop, the attitude of people actually saying 'why does she stay?' The emphasis shouldn't be on the why I stayed it should be why did the perpetrator do that."

Ms Carro was physically and mentally abused by her former partner, but she said the psychological abuse was often the most devastating.

She said she wanted other victims out there to know they were not alone.

"The scars that you're left with [are] for life and trying to get out is basically the hardest thing that you can ever face," she said.

"But knowing you're never alone that can be one thing and knowing that there's help out there and prevention and knowing the signs and knowing that domestic violence is a whole wheel, it doesn't only cover physical or sexual abuse.

"It also covers psychological abuse and that's something that a lot of people don't realise and with prevention we can actually know the signs and the triggers and put a stop to it."

Ms Carro said the results of the study did not shock her.

"I'm not surprised at all, we actually live in a society that is quite prevalent in terms of domestic violence and attitudes towards women," she said.

Ms Carro was also the victim of electronic tracking. Her former partner would send her messages from cheap SIM cards, making it difficult for police to track the perpetrator.

"Obviously [with] smartphones there's GPS tracking and apps that people can actually purchase. You just have to Google it you put a person's number in there and they can find out where you are," she said.

"That's something that the Government should be looking at as well in putting in legislation of accessing apps like that."