OSCE-LED SURVEY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF WOMEN
FACTS AND FIGURES AT A GLANCE Background Information
Violence against women and girls is a persistent human rights violation that not only threatens the security and safety of its victims, but also hinders women and girls around the world from being full and equal participants in society. The OSCE recognizes violence against women and girls (VAWG) as both a threat to indivi- duals and a broader security concern, and acknowledges the need to tackle it to achieve comprehensive security and reach the Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2018 the OSCE implemented the OSCE-led Survey on the Well-being and Safety of Women. In seven OSCE participating States, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine. The research was also conducted in Kosovo.1
The OSCE-led survey is based on the methodology used by the European Union Fun- damental Rights Agency for its EU-wide survey on violence against women, which was published in 2014.
Research overview
The survey included a quantitative and qualitative component. The research examined violence that women experience in conflict and non-conflict settings, as well as the impact violence has on women.
women aged 18–74 were interviewed face-to-face using a multi-stage, random probability approach;
key experts shared their views on the current state of how governmental insti- tutions and NGOs are working to prevent VAWG;
focus group discussions were condu- cted with women from different age gro- ups, women living in urban and rural areas, women from different minority groups and women who have experienced conflict;
in-depth interviews were conducted with survivors of violence, including women with a disability.
1 All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text should be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. Main goal of the study
The overarching goal of this study is to contribute to a reduction of violence against women. Identifying the scale of the problem is a first step. The data collected by the OSCE-led survey is comparable to the data collected by the FRA survey. Together, the two surveys cover 35 out of 57 OSCE participating States.
With its comparable data, the OSCE-led survey provides much-needed information that will help show the current situation concerning violence against women and girls in OSCE parti- cipating States. It will also enable the planning and development of cross-regional initiatives and actions as well as local policies and services.
Key Conclusions based on the survey findings
• Enhanced efforts are needed to implement legislation and improve action plans that will address all forms of violence experienced by women and girls.
• All women, regardless of their economic or social status, can experience violence, but some groups of women are at a higher risk. These risks include being young, economically dependent or having children.
• Characteristics and behaviour of perpetrators also need to be taken into consideration as possible risk factors contributing to intimate partner violence.
• Violence has a severe physical and psychological impact, and women suffer from health problems as a result of their experiences.
• Women do not report the vast majority of the most serious incidents to the police and that they rarely seek support from other institutions.
• Barriers to seeking help are rooted in attitudes that silence women and protect abusers, as well as in women’s lack of trust in the authorities to help and protect them.
• A majority of women do not know what to do if they experience violence and that they are not aware of local specialized organizations offering support. Major findings
The OSCE-led survey reveals a number of trends and findings about the prevalence of VAWG, its impact and underlying social norms and stereotypes. It is important to take into account that different prevalence rates should be interpreted with care, and could be a reflection of changing attitudes and norms around violence against women in different locations.
Norms and attitudes significantly impact violence against women and girls: • Women who agree that domestic violence is a private matter are almost twice as likely to say they have experienced current partner physical violence than those who disagree (18% versus 10% respectively).
• Women who think that their friends would agree that it is a wife’s obligation to have sex with her husband even if she does not feel like it are also more likely to say they have experienced violence at the hands of their current partner than those who disagree.
• Women who agree that violence is often provoked by the victim or that women exaggerate claims of abuse or rape are generally more likely to say they have experienced all forms of violence.
More information can be found online: Main results report: https://www.osce.org/secretariat/413237 At a glance report: https://www.osce.org/secretariat/418913
70% of women have experienced some form of 70% partner violence or non-partner violence since the age of 15;
23% of women have experienced intimate partner physical and/ or sexual 23% violence;
18% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from a non- 18% partner. Stock photo. Posed by model. OSCE-led survey results A quantitative survey was conducted among a representative sample of women aged 18 to 74 living in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine. The survey was also conducted in Kosovo.1 A total of 15,179 interviews were conducted face-to-face between April and September 2018. Data has been weighted to the known population profile.
HIGH PREVALENCE OF DIFFERENT FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN DIFFERENT FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 16 million 4.9 million 70% women have experienced some women have experienced intimate form of sexual harassment, partner physical or sexual violence 60% stalking, intimate partner violence,
45% or non-partner violence (including 4.4 million psychological, physical or sexual have experienced non-partner violence) since the age of 15 physical or sexual violence 31% 31% *Approximate figures
18% 16% 10% 10% ONE IN FIVE WOMEN HAS EXPERIENCED NON-PARTNER 2% PHYSICAL AND/OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE Any Intimite partner Sexual Intimite partner Stalking 19% psychological harrassment or non-partner Physical and/or violence physical and/or sexual violence sexual violence 5%
Since the age of 15 12 months prior to the survey Since the age of 15 12 months prior to the survey
INTIMATE PARTNER PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLENCE INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IS THE MOST WIDESPREAD FORM Physical violence Controlling behaviour
21% 48% Sexual violence Abusive behaviour
7% 43% Psychological violence Economic violence
60% 19% SDG 5.2.1: Intimate partner physical, sexual or psychological Blackmail with/abuse of children violence in the 12 months prior to the survey 7% 20% Since the age of 15 12 months prior to the survey
Base: Prevalence of intimate partner/non-partner violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and non-partner violence are based on all women aged 18- 74 (15,179); intimate partner violence is based on all ever-partnered women (14,085)
11 All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text should be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. LOW LEVELS OF REPORTING IMPACT OF THE MOST AND AWARENESS SERIOUS INCIDENTS MANY WOMEN DO NOT FEEL WELL INFORMED ABOUT WHAT VIOLENCE CAUSES PSYCHOLOGICAL SUFFERING TO DO IF THEY EXPERIENCE VIOLENCE % who experienced one or more psychological consequences due to… Intimate partner or non-partner physical and/or sexual violence 33% Very well/well informed 81% 27% Somewhat informed Sexual harassment Not well informed 23% 14% Don’t know at all what to do 49% 2% Refused/N/A Stalking 56%
LOW LEVELS OF REPORTING TO POLICE % who contacted the police directly following the most serious incident of violence. VIOLENCE CAUSES PHYSICAL SUFFERING % who suffered one or more physical consequences due to… Current partner violence 38% 7% 15% 19% Previous partner violence 56% Non-partner violence
Current partner violence Previous partner violence Non-partner violence 52% Any intimate partner/non partner violence 55%
The figures regarding physical suffering have been updated - figures in earlier versions of this report 2% 13% should be disregarded.
Sexual harassment Stalking 3.25 million* women in the region covered by the survey were left with an injury or physical consequence considering only the most severe cases Base for how well informed women feel: All women aged 18-74 (15,179) of violence they identified during their adult lifetime. Base for reporting to police: All women aged 18-74 who identify a most serious incident of each form of violence - sexual harassment (3,514), stalking (885), current partner (1,068), previous partner (1,079),
2.5 million 82,000 non-partner (1,298) More specifically: had bruises or experienced a scratches miscarriage SILENCING AND VICTIM-BLAMING ATTITUDES 700,000 70,000 suffered wounds, contracted an infection or sprains or burns sexually transmitted disease Totally/tend to agree Totally/tend to disagree Q: Would your friends generally agree or disagree with the following statements? It is a wife’s obligation to have sex with her husband even if she doesn’t feel like it 352,000 52,000 145,000 had fractures became experienced 17% 74% or broken teeth pregnant internal injuries It is important for a man to show his wife/partner who is the boss
43% 52% 29,000 652,000 were left infertile or unable experienced concussion or Q: To what extent would you agree or disagree with the following statements? to carry a pregnancy to term another brain injury Violence against women is often provoked by the victim *Approximate figures 25% 64% Base for psychological and physical consequences: All women aged 18-74 who identify a most serious incident of each form of violence - sexual harassment (3,514), stalking (885), current partner (1,068), Domestic violence is a private matter and should be handled within the family previous partner (1,079), non-partner (1,298), any intimate partner/non-partner (2,763)
30% 62% Base: All women aged 18-74 (15,179) How can OSCE participating States use the data? To inform policies, strategies and action plans at the national and local levels • For the development and implementation of national strategies and action plans, like national gender-equality plans, plans for combating violence against women and national action plans on UNSCR 1325;
• As information for a wide range of ministries, including on social policy, interior affairs, defence, health and education;
• For the discussion within co-ordination bodies and working groups on gender equality and combating gender-based violence, as well as in the security and defence sector and the armed forces, in parliamentary working groups and caucuses;
• Inform gender-responsive budgeting at the municipal, provincial and regional Level.
For monitoring and reporting on international commitments (if applicable): • Reports to the CEDAW Committee;
• Beijing Platform for Action;
• National Action Plans on UNSCR 1325;
• Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 5 and Goal 16);
• GREVIO/Istanbul Convention;
• European Gender Equality Index; 70% • NATO reporting requirements.
Further use of the data • Use findings for communication and awareness raising activities;
23% • Conduct further research using the OSCE-led survey data set;
• Analyse differences in the prevalence, reporting and impact of violence against women at the local and regional level and develop specific recommendations at that level.
18%
Psychological violence is the most widespread form 60% of intimate partner violence reported in the survey;
45% have experienced 45% sexual harassment, including online violence.
Stock photo. Posed by model. This project is funded by the European Union
Permanent Mission of Italy OSCE
The work described here within was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the international quality standard for market research, ISO 20252:2012, and with the Ipsos MORI terms and conditions, which can be found at http://www.ipsos-mori.com/terms.
© OSCE 2019
The OSCE has invested the utmost care in the development of the materials in this factsheet. However, it accepts no liability for the accuracy and completeness of the information, instructions and advice provided, nor for misprints. The contents of this publication, the views, opinions, findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the OSCE and its participating States.
All photos used are stock photos.
Follow OSCE OSCE Secretariat Gender Issues Wallnerstrasse 6 1010 Vienna, Austria Email: equality@osce.org www.osce.org/secretariat/gender
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe