1 in 3 women in EU has experienced violence, major survey finds
One in three women in the EU has been a victim of violence, according to a study on gender-based violence conducted by statistics office Eurostat, the European Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) and the European Institute for Gender Equality.
The survey was conducted among 114,000 women aged between 18 and 74 across the EU, between September 2020 and March 2024. It asked about physical, sexual and psychological violence in the domestic sphere, at work and in public.
The researchers found that one in three women has experienced physical violence, sexual violence or threats. One in six has experienced sexual violence, including rape.
In addition, one in five women has suffered physical or sexual violence from a partner, family member or someone else within the household. One in three has been sexually harassed at work. Among younger women, the number is two in five.
"There are no safe spaces for women, free from violence and harassment"
The number of women reporting violence is very low. Only one in five contacted a support provider and only one in eight reported it to police.
“There are no safe spaces for women, free from violence and harassment,” said FRA director Sirpa Rautio. “Rates of violence against women remain far too high. Policymakers, civil society and frontline workers urgently need to support and protect the rights of all victims of gender-based violence and domestic abuse no matter where it takes place.”
A UN study published on Monday found that at least 85,000 women and girls around the world were intentionally killed in 2023, most of them by family members or partners.
“Every 10 minutes, a woman loses her life at the hands of her partner or someone close to her,” Belgian Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib said on X. “Fighting against this violence means defending fundamental rights. Making our society fairer, safer and more humane. It’s time to put an end to #ViolenceAgainstWomen.”
Thousands of people join a demonstration against violence against women in Rome, 23 November 20234 © PHOTO MARCO DI GIANVITO / ZUMA PRESS WIRE
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