One in three EU women faces violence, most cases go unreported
Around one in three women in the European Union experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, yet most incidents remain unreported, according to Reuters.
The study, conducted by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Institute for Gender Equality, found that only 11.3% of women reported abuse by non-partners, and just 6.1% reported violence by intimate partners. Barriers included shame, fear, distrust of police, and limited access to support services.
Overall, 30.7% of women said they had experienced violence—a slight drop from 33% in 2012. The survey also highlighted psychological, economic, and online abuse.
“Violence against women is a fundamental rights violation,” FRA Director Sirpa Rautio said. “Member states must do more to prevent abuse and protect victims.”
The ‘Nordic Paradox’
Rates varied widely, from 57.1% in Finland to 11.9% in Bulgaria. Nordic countries with high gender equality, including Sweden (52.5%) and Denmark (47.5%), also reported high levels of violence, a pattern researchers call the “Nordic paradox.”
The study interviewed nearly 115,000 women aged 18 to 74 between September 2020 and March 2024.
