New EU Report Reveals Widespread and Systemically Ignored Violence Against Women

Kathmandu. A new report shows that violence against women remains a serious and widespread problem within the European Union (EU). According to a study published by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency, approximately one in three women experiences some form of physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. The report warns that gender-based violence is "widespread, intensified by digital means, and institutionally neglected."

According to the survey published by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), 30.7 percent of women across Europe reported facing physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15. The study showed that domestic and partner-related violence remains severe. One in ten women reported suffering physical injury from a partner at least once in their life, while 17.2 percent reported experiencing rape, sexual violence, or other sexual assault.

The study, jointly conducted by FRA, Eurostat, and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) in Lithuania, indicated that the nature of violence has also changed with the expansion of digital technology. According to the report, 8.5 percent of women reported being victims of cyberstalking. Ten point two percent of women participating in the survey shared experiences of having their location monitored or being tracked digitally by an intimate partner.

The study showed that most violence against women continues to be widely underreported and inadequately addressed by relevant bodies. Only 6.1 percent of women reported physical or sexual abuse experienced from their partners to the authorities. Even in cases of assault by a non-partner, the reporting rate was only 11.3 percent. Reasons cited for not reporting included shame, fear, self-blame, and a lack of trust in the police.

FRA Director Sirpa Rautio said in a statement, "When abuse is left normalized, hidden, or ignored, it shows a systemic failure in protecting rights." She emphasized that preventing violence, ensuring the protection of victims, and guaranteeing access to justice are clear obligations for member states.

This study is the second major investigation conducted by the FRA since the initial survey conducted in 2014. For the survey, more than 114,000 women aged between 18 and 74 were interviewed from September 2020 to March 2024. It was noted that transgender women were also allowed to participate as some countries allowed participants to self-identify as women, although further details on this were not provided.

Previously, in 2011, the EU adopted the Istanbul Convention for the prevention and combating of violence against women. However, five member states—Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, and Slovakia—have refused to ratify the main provisions of the convention. The new report signals the need for stronger and more coordinated steps in policy formulation and implementation.