Report: One-third of women in EU experienced gender-based violence

(CN) — Amid the international shock and outrage surrounding France's ongoing Gisèle Pelicot rape case, Eurostat released a report Monday finding that one-third of all women in the European Union have experienced gender-based physical or sexual violence. Of those, 18% were victimized by their own partner.

Carlien Scheele, director of the European Institute for Gender Equality — which conducted the survey in collaboration with the Agency for Fundamental Rights — said in a statement the data reveals an “alarming reality where one in three women experience violence in the EU, but just over one in eight report it.”

“Violence against women is rooted in control, dominance and inequality,” Scheele said. “When a gendered perspective is integrated into prevention measures, services and authorities, then we can expect to see more women coming forward, trusting that they will receive the support they need. Because every woman has a right to be safe, everywhere.”

The data represents about 50 million women between 18-74 years old and indicates the youngest two age groups — between 18 and 44 — were more likely to experience violence than those 45 and older. Further, Eurostat found in the survey that one in eight women have experienced sexual violence from a non-partner. 

Examining the types of violence by non-partners, 4% of women in the EU have experienced rape, 7% have experienced physical but not sexual violence and 9% have experienced “degrading or humiliating acts other than rape,” according to Eurostat.

The highest rates of reported violence by non-partners were in the Nordic countries of Finland (47%), Sweden (42%) and Denmark (38%), while the lowest rates were in Czechia (10%), Poland (8%) and Bulgaria (6%). The study noted the rape data was less reliable in Ireland, Cyprus, Poland, Romania and Slovenia. 

In France — where Dominique Pelicot was recently convicted of drugging his wife Gisèle for more than a decade and allowing more than 80 men to rape her while she was unconscious — 4.9% of women reported experiencing rape from a non-partner. Another 16.8% of French women reported other types of sexual violence, while 26.1% reported physical violence, including threats. 

The report was released to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which has been observed on November 25 since 1981. In 2021, the EU ratified a treaty to combat gender-based violence and in 2022, member states established a telephone number (116016)  where victims can access advice and support.

In a statement, Agency for Fundamental Rights Director Sirpa Rautio said the report indicates “there are no safe spaces for women, free from violence and harassment.”

“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,” she added. 

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