NCJ Number
232659
Date Published
September 2010
Length
222 pages
Annotation
This survey measures the evolution of European public opinion concerning domestic violence against women since 1999.
Abstract
According to the Council of Europe, one European woman in four experiences domestic violence at some point in her life, and between 6 to 10 percent of women suffer domestic violence in any given year. The European Union defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life". Probably the most common form of violence against women, domestic violence is a high priority for the European Union. While some progress has been made in the EU in terms of improving public awareness and giving women who suffer from violence more options for help, women in all member states continue to suffer violence at the hands of abusive partners. The European Commission's Directorate-General for Justice, Freedom and Security requested a Eurobarometer survey to measure how domestic violence against women is perceived by the European public opinion. While the violence referred to in the survey can also be against men, in February and March 2010, 26,800 European citizens from all 27 European Union member states were interviewed by the TNS Opinion & Social network about domestic violence against women. Also provided is detailed socio-demographic information to help understand how different sections of European society view the problem of domestic violence against women. The statistical breakdowns include: gender; age range, divided into five categories; the impact of education; and a range of other socioeconomic factors. Emphasis is also placed on the respondents' proximity to domestic violence, with questions focusing on whether people know both victims and perpetrators of violence. Tables and annexes