A new report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) presents results from the world’s biggest-ever survey on violence against women, revealing the extent of abuse suffered by women at home, work, in public and online. The survey confirms that violence against women is pervasive and extensive across the EU, including in Ireland.

Almost one in three Irish women (31%) have experienced some form of psychological violence by a partner since the age of 15, and 26% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner or a non-partner.

The survey confirms that violence against women affects women from all backgrounds. It reveals little about women’s ethnic or migrant background due to low level of self-identification under these categories. The results indicate that women who are not citizens of the country they reside in experience somewhat higher rates of sexual and physical violence by partners and non-partners since the age of 15, but there are no notable differences in relation to other forms of violence. In addition, women with a migrant background more often worry about being physically or sexually assaulted and therefore restrict their movements by avoiding certain places and situations.

The survey also confirms low awareness of services and protections among women in Ireland (20%), and reluctance to disclose and report violence. Violence against women, and particularly sexual violence within the family, remains very much a taboo issue.

While Irish figures are high, they are often below other European countries. Pavee Point warns that the findings should not be read as an indication that violence against women is less common in Ireland. Instead, the lower levels highlight a lower level of disclosure by Irish women, a culture of resistance to speak out about violence, and poor response to victims in desperate need of practical, physical and emotional support.

Pavee Point urges the Government to take on leadership in improving domestic and sexual violence services and protections and provide adequate resources for this work. There is a particular need to fill the gaps that minority ethnic women, such as Traveller and Roma women, experience in accessing services and protections.

Violence against Women: an EU-wide Survey Results at a Glance 

http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2014-vaw-survey-at-a-glance_en_0.pdf

Violence against Women: an EU-wide Survey Main Results

http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2014-vaw-survey-main-results_en.pdf

Violence against Women: an EU-wide Survey Fact Sheet

http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2014-vaw-survey-factsheet_en.pdf

Survey Data Explorer- Violence against Women Survey

http://fra.europa.eu/DVS/DVT/vaw.php?_cldee=bGF1cmEucG9oam9sYWluZW5AcGF2ZWUuaWU%3d