RTL Today - Luxembourg high on the list: Eurostat: one in three women in the EU experienced gender-based violence

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed on 25 November every year, Eurostat released a report on the prevalence of gender-based violence in the European Union. One in eight women have also suffered offences related to sexual violence.

A newly released report from the EU gender-based violence survey (pertaining to 2021) sheds light on the alarming prevalence of violence faced by women across Europe. According to the findings, around 50 million women aged 18-74 in the European Union – equating to 31% of the female population – have experienced physical (including threats) or sexual violence in adulthood.

Released in light of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the article highlights a concerning trend when comparing age groups. The youngest women, aged 18-29, are disproportionately affected, with 35% reporting experiences of gender-based violence. In contrast, 24% of women in the oldest age group, aged 65-74, reported similar experiences.

The data also underscores that violence against women is not confined to public spaces, with many women facing abuse at home. In 2021, 18% of women who had ever had a partner reported experiencing physical or sexual violence by their partner. When psychological violence is included, the figure rises to 32%, indicating that a significant number of women have been in violent relationships at some point in their lives.

A particularly troubling statistic is the prevalence of sexual violence by non-partners. The survey reveals that 1 in 8 women have experienced sexual violence, including rape, by someone who was not their partner. In total, 20% of women in the EU reported having experienced physical or sexual violence by a non-partner, with 9% experiencing degrading or humiliating acts other than rape, 7% experiencing physical violence, and 4% reporting rape.

Regional variations in non-partner violence were stark. Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg saw the highest levels of non-partner violence, with Finland at the top at 47%. Meanwhile, Bulgaria, Poland, and Czechia reported much lower levels, with only 6%, 8%, and 10% of women, respectively, saying they had experienced violence by someone other than a partner.

The survey also highlights significant differences between countries in the types of violence women experience. For instance, the prevalence of degrading or humiliating sexual acts, excluding rape, varied greatly across the EU, with Finland and Sweden recording rates of 24% and 22%, respectively, while Bulgaria, Czechia, and Poland reported rates below 2%.

The findings were collected through joint efforts by Eurostat, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).

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