Europe: Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault Serious Problems

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein affair and ensuing #MeToo movement, this year's International Women's Day will likely generate a lot of discussion about the progress yet to be made in combating sexual misconduct against women. Just as the Weinstein scandal showed that even famous and powerful women can be vulnerable to sexual abuse, Gallup's data highlight that gender-related violence remains a prevalent problem even in some of the most progressively minded countries in Europe.

Across European nations surveyed in 2016, more than three in four adults said domestic violence and sexual assault were "serious problems" in their country, placing residents' concern about these issues at least on par with their concern about terrorist attacks.

Though these results vary significantly by country, clear majorities in all 13 countries regard domestic abuse as a serious problem, from two-thirds in Ireland (66%) to almost all adults in Portugal (98%). Even in European countries often viewed as pioneers in gender equality and family-friendly policymaking -- such as the Netherlands, Iceland and Sweden, three of the five best-rated countries in the United Nations' Gender Inequality Index -- about eight in 10 residents say domestic abuse is a serious problem.

Portuguese residents' perception of domestic violence as a serious problem seems to reflect more general concerns about treatment of women in the country. Fifty-eight percent of Portuguese adults believe women in the country are treated with respect and dignity, easily the lowest figure among the 13 countries included in the analysis. High rates of domestic abuse -- particularly cases in which women have been murdered by their spouses -- have made headlines in Portugal in recent years, as have the Portuguese government's efforts to pass legislation that better protects battered women.

In most countries studied, women are somewhat more likely than men to view domestic violence and sexual assault as serious problems in the country. The gender gaps are largest in Switzerland and Iceland; most notably, 72% of Swiss women feel sexual assault is a serious problem in the country, vs. 52% of Swiss men.

Women are also somewhat less likely than men to say women in their country are treated with dignity and respect (79% vs. 86%, respectively, across the 13 European countries studied). Further, women in more vulnerable groups -- including those with low levels of education and those who are unemployed or underemployed -- are especially likely to disagree that women in their country are respected.

Implications

Fueled by the current momentum for gender parity, this year's International Women's Day has adopted the theme "Press for Progress." Prevailing concerns about domestic violence and sexual assault in Europe indicate there is much work to be done even in countries that are held up as models of gender equity. However, in demonstrating that these problems are taken so seriously by majorities of residents in each country, the data also offer hope for the kind of social change that leads to sustainable progress.

Find out more about Gallup's World Poll research in Europe.

Read more stories in the International Women's Day Special Edition.