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Ending violence against women

Ending violence against women

On 8 March 2022, the European Commission proposed a new directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence.

The new rules will criminalise a range of offences, including female genital mutilation and cyber violence.

The directive will also ensure that victims have:

  • access to justice
  • the right to claim compensation
  • access to free of charge helplines 

What is gender-based violence?

Violence directed against a person because of their gender and that affects them disproportionately.

Gender-based violence predominantly affects women, leading to reduced mental and physical health, quality of life and a loss of economic output.

Types of gender-based violence

  • Physical
  • Socio-economic
  • Harassment and sexual harassment
  • Verbal violence and hate speech
  • Psychological
  • Female genital mutilation and child marriage
  • Human trafficking
  • Domestic violence or violence in intimate relationships
  • Sexual

If 10 to 20 women in the EU were sampled:

A breakdown of statistics could suggest that:

  • 2 in 10 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner or a friend
  • 3 in 10 by a relative or family
  • 10 in 20 women have experienced sexual harassment

At least 2 women are killed every day in the EU by an intimate partner or family member

A European woman’s experience

  • 32% of perpetrators of sexual harassment come from the employment context
  • over 80% who experience violence do not seek professional help
  • 44% have suffered psychological violence from a partner in their lifetime
  • only 22% who experience intimate partner violence report it

Societal cost of gender-based violence

€290 billion societal costs at EU level (estimated costs)

Breakdown of the costs in %:

  • 67% criminal justice
  • 14% health services
  • 12% social welfare
  • 4% personal costs
  • 2% civil justice
  • 1% specialised services

How do EU citizens view gender violence?

(EU population = 447.7 million inhabitants)

  • 85% (380.5 million people) do not believe that domestic violence is a private matter
  • 88% (394 million people) believe that violence against women (84%) and against men (80%) is 'unacceptable and should always be punishable by law'
  • 98% (438.7 million people) condemn domestic violence against women and against men (97%)

Sources: European Parliament, European Commission, EU Barometer

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Last review: 1 August 2025