Sexual violence in the EU: It should be zero

Every woman deserves to be safe — everywhere

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Almost twice as many women report being raped when “unable to refuse or under coercion” than when “force or threats” are used

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Across the EU-27, 8.3% of women have been raped when "unable to refuse or under coercion" compared to 4.8% indicating that they were raped with the use of "force or threats”.

This evidence clearly demonstrates that coercive rape is substantially more prevalent than force-based incidents.

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Violence against women remains under-reported

We live in a post #MeToo world, but still most of these crimes remain invisible to authorities. Many women never report their experiences to the police, a doctor or a victim support service. 

• Almost 1 in 4 women didn’t go to the police after being raped (by someone other than their partner) because they believed the police couldn’t help (23.8%).
• Nearly a third of victims don’t share their experience with anyone. They’re on their own. 
• Only half of women who experienced sexual violence during childhood reported it.
• Even at work, almost two thirds of women who say they have been harassed didn’t tell anyone in an officical capacity.

The figures for rape in childhood are even more shocking. Of the women surveyed who disclosed that they were raped before the age of 15, only 5% say that the incident was reported to the police.

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Governments can, and should do more to prevent sexual violence and rape

The Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence encourages Member States to promote the role of consent in relationships and to adopt evidence-based prevention measures.

At the same time, the Istanbul Convention requires Governments to criminalise sexual acts that take place without consent — stating clearly that “consent must be given voluntarily as the result of the person’s free will, assessed in the context of the surrounding circumstances”.

Together, these create a clear direction of travel: laws across Europe should first define rape based on whether or not consent was given, rather than if coercion was used.

Any coercion automatically undermines that consent. Something that policymakers need to invest resource in. To ensure that the message reaches men and women, police forces, legislators and jurors across the EU.

The legal requirements are clear. Member States must:

• Raise awareness of what constitutes violence against women
• Introduce education programmes on consent, non-violent relationships and gender equality
• Train professionals to identify and respond to violence
• Challenge gender stereotypes that normalise sexual aggression
• Establish early-intervention programmes for at-risk groups

Violence against women is a poison in the bloodstream of our societies. The rights and freedoms of women must never be up for debate. They must be a reality.

Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management

Commissioner Lahbib's Speech at the High-Level Forum on Women's Rights of the European Economic and Social Committee

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Preventing sexual violence must go hand in hand with stronger protection and support

Victims need accessible justice, specialist counselling and coordinated national services.

Member States must do more to support women who have suffered rape and sexual violence. They must make it easier for women to come forward and support them more when they do.

Support services must be more victim-centred, so authority-figures can build trust with victims rather than contribute to re-victimisation.

Police, health, social services and employers will all need extra resources and support to recognise the scale of gender-based violence, particularly how it affects women already suffering from intersectional discrimination.

With a more ‘joined-up’ approach, more women will be more empowered to report their experiences. And they can be better-supported by professionals and experts.

The findings within the EU gender-based violence survey clearly set out the scale of the problem.