In a deeply troubling revelation, a comprehensive survey conducted across the European Union has exposed the startling extent of violence endured by women throughout the 27-nation bloc. The findings, released on Monday, paint a grim picture of what officials are calling an “invisible epidemic” that has left an indelible mark on the lives of millions.
One in Three Women Affected
The survey, which polled women aged 18 to 74 from all corners of the EU, found that an astonishing one-third of respondents had experienced physical violence, including threats, or sexual violence at some point in their lives. Sirpa Rautio, director of the EU’s Agency for Fundamental Rights, emphasized the shocking scale of the problem, stating, “In the EU, in 2024, women’s safety still cannot be guaranteed.”
Rautio described the figures as a “sad reality,” noting that they remained virtually unchanged from a similar survey conducted a decade ago. “One-third of them have been slapped, hit, kicked, raped or threatened with such violence,” she said. “A decade later, we continue to witness the same shocking levels of violence that affect one in three women.”
Sexual Violence and Harassment
The survey also shed light on the pervasiveness of sexual violence, with one in six women reporting that they had experienced such abuse, including rape, during adulthood. Furthermore, a staggering one in three women said they had been sexually harassed in the workplace, facing inappropriate jokes, staring, and unwanted sexual advances. For younger women aged 18 to 29, the figure climbed to a disturbing 42%.
“The troubling reality is not just how many women experience violence in the EU, it’s also how many women don’t report experiences of violence.”
– Carlien Scheele, Director of the European Institute for Gender Equality
Underreporting and Mistrust
Perhaps most alarming was the finding that a mere 14% of women had reported their experiences of violence to the police. Those who chose not to come forward cited fears for their safety, feelings of shame, and a lack of trust in the authorities. “This underreporting means that we have an invisible epidemic of violence in Europe,” Rautio warned.
Carlien Scheele, director of the European Institute for Gender Equality, attributed the low reporting rates to the persistent stigma surrounding violence against women. “The shame and blame that continues to be associated with violence against women is a major barrier to reporting,” she explained, calling for the adoption of victim-centered approaches to encourage more women to speak out.
The Rise of Anti-Gender Sentiment
Scheele expressed particular concern about the proliferation of misogynistic content on social media and the rise of anti-gender narratives across the EU. “Women are being ridiculed, and this anti-gender sentiment is being used to change things in society that I think is worsening the situation we live in,” she cautioned, emphasizing the urgent need to address these harmful trends.
The Economic Cost of Violence
Beyond the immeasurable human suffering caused by violence against women, the economic cost to the EU is staggering. According to Scheele, the price tag associated with lost economic output and the provision of public services such as legal aid and housing support amounts to an estimated €289 billion per year. “Apart from the human suffering and the violation of human rights and women’s rights, it also comes with huge economic costs for the European Union,” she stressed.
A Catalyst for Change?
The release of these findings coincides with the high-profile mass rapes trial currently underway in France, where 51 men stand accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman over the course of a decade. The case, which has garnered international attention, has sparked renewed conversations about the pervasiveness of sexual violence and the urgent need for action.
“I really sincerely hope that what we have published today, what we will publish in the future, what we have published in the past and cases like the one of Madame Pelicot, that it will change public opinion. And most importantly, it will change the attitude of perpetrators and possible perpetrators.”
– Carlien Scheele, Director of the European Institute for Gender Equality
Scheele expressed hope that the shocking figures released on Monday, coupled with high-profile cases like the one in France, would serve as a catalyst for change. “In a crisis situation, be it Covid or the energy crisis, the European Union got its act together at rapid speed,” she noted, calling for a similar sense of urgency in addressing the crisis of violence against women.
As the EU grapples with the stark reality laid bare by this survey, the question remains: will this be the wake-up call that finally spurs the bloc to take decisive action in combating the scourge of violence against women? For the millions of women whose lives have been shattered by abuse, the answer cannot come soon enough.
