The publication of the EU Gender-based Violence Survey – Evidence for Policy and Practice marks an important step in strengthening the evidence base on violence against women across the European Union. Published in 2026 by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), the report offers one of the most comprehensive overviews to date of the prevalence, forms, and consequences of gender-based violence in the EU.
Drawing on data from more than 114,000 interviews conducted across EU Member States, the survey presents a large-scale and policy-relevant analysis of women’s experiences of violence. It covers multiple forms of abuse, including intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and cyberviolence, helping to build a clearer understanding of how gender-based violence continues to affect women in different settings and throughout the life course.
One of the report’s most concerning findings is that nearly one in three women in the EU has experienced physical or sexual violence since the age of 15. The report further indicates that this level of prevalence has remained broadly unchanged over the past decade, underlining the persistence of the problem and the limits of progress to date.
Beyond prevalence data, the report provides important insights into the wider consequences of abuse. It highlights the long-term impacts of violence on health, wellbeing, safety, and participation in society, while also drawing attention to the structural and systemic barriers that continue to prevent many victims from reporting incidents or accessing support. These findings reinforce the need for responses that are not only preventive, but also accessible, survivor-centred, and grounded in rights-based approaches.
The publication also goes beyond diagnosis by setting out 14 policy recommendations intended to support Member States in implementing the EU Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, as well as the Istanbul Convention. In this respect, the report serves not only as a statistical resource, but also as a practical policy tool for institutions and decision-makers working to improve national frameworks, support services, and prevention measures.
Overall, the survey provides a valuable and timely contribution to the European policy landscape. Its findings make clear that addressing gender-based violence requires sustained commitment, stronger implementation of legal and policy frameworks, and continued investment in support systems that place the needs and rights of survivors at the centre.
As discussions on gender equality, safety, and human rights continue across Europe, evidence of this kind remains essential for informing effective action and ensuring that policy responses are matched by the scale and seriousness of the issue.
Read the full report here: https://eige.europa.eu/publications-resources/publications/eu-gender-based-violence-survey-evidence-policy-and-practice?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=eu_gbv_survey