31% Of Women In The EU Experienced Violence

Out now is the 2024 EU Gender-Based Violence (EU-GBV) survey and yes, we did indeed already address it in this article on this 2024 published gender-based violence survey.

Today we offer you some extra data, data which is essential for shaping policies and interventions.

Let’s have a closer look at some of the results as this survey shows once again that women and girls of all ages and backgrounds remain the most affected.

Survey Development and Methodology

The EU-GBV initiative began in 2016, with pre-testing conducted in eight countries from 2017 to 2018 and a pilot survey in 14 countries during 2018–2019. Full-scale implementation started in 2020, covering data collection from September 2020 to March 2024. Standardized questionnaires and methodologies ensured comparability across 18 EU member states, coordinated by Eurostat. Some countries (e.g., Germany and Sweden) used private companies under EU guidelines.

Key Findings

1. Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence

The survey revealed that 31% of women in the EU experienced violence by any perpetrator during their lifetime. Country-specific results varied significantly:

  • Finland: Highest prevalence, with 57% of women reporting experiences of physical or sexual violence.
  • Bulgaria: Lowest prevalence, at 12%.
2. Non-Partner Violence

Non-partner violence showed striking differences:

  • 6% of women in Bulgaria experienced such violence compared to 47% in Finland.
  • Cultural norms influence these rates; greater awareness in some countries may lead to higher reporting.
3. Impact of Age

Younger women (18–29 years) disclosed higher rates of violence (35%) compared to older women (65–74 years) at 24%. This generational disparity reflects differences in societal norms and willingness to report.

4. Workplace Harassment

The survey highlighted pervasive sexual harassment in workplaces:

  • 31% of working women experienced unwanted sexual behavior, with Sweden (55%) reporting the highest and Latvia (11%) the lowest rates.
  • Younger women were particularly affected, with 42% of those aged 18–29 reporting harassment, compared to 20% of those aged 65–74.

Challenges in Interpretation Due to Underreporting

Underreporting remains a large obstacle, as many women do not disclose experiences of violence due to stigma or fear. For instance, only 5% of sexual violence cases reported in the survey were officially recorded by the police. Cultural and societal norms, as well as varying degrees of trust in institutions, heavily influence reporting rates.

Urgent Need For Comprehensive Intervention

The EU-GBV survey offers a critical proxy for understanding GBV prevalence. It emphasizes the importance of cultural awareness and education to increase reporting and inform policy-making. However, the data also shows the urgent need for comprehensive interventions to address the root causes and societal tolerances of GBV.

Finland’s high prevalence for example shows the need for targeted interventions, such as educational campaigns and support services. Countries with low awareness, like Bulgaria, could benefit from initiatives to redefine societal norms about violence.

The findings from this survey do provide a roadmap for policymakers, researchers, and activists to combat gender-based violence more effectively across Europe.