Male violence against women is ‘certainly not decreasing’, Women’s Aid has warned.
Recently released figures from a Eurostat Fundamental Rights Agency report on violence against women in Europe found that roughly 50 million women, 31% of the EU population, have experienced physical or sexual violence.
Younger women were especially likely to be victims; 35% of those aged 18 to 29 reported they experienced gender-based violence, compared to 24% among those who were 65 to 74.
On The Pat Kenny Show, Women’s Aid CEO Sarah Benson said society is getting much better at talking about these issues but there is still a lot of work to do.
“I think it’s certainly the case that the prevalence is not decreasing by any metric that we have,” she said.
“We have lacked good data in relation to domestic and sexual violence historically but, in recent years, we have had new reports.
“In Ireland through the CSO in terms of sexual violence; we have a new Eurostat Fundamental Rights Agency report on Violence Against Women in Europe.
“What that shows us is that, in the context of the work Women’s Aid do around intimate partner abuse, is that one-in-four women will suffer some form of sexual abuse from a partner.”
Sarah Benson at the publication of their Femicide Report 2019. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ieMs Benson said Women’s Aid is “still looking” at the data to see how exactly Ireland compares to other European countries.
However, in some ways it seems like Ireland can be a more dangerous place to be a woman than other countries.
“In respect of intimate partner abuse, we are in the comparative area but sexual abuse statistic seems to be higher,” he said.
“So, we’ll be doing some work ourselves to look at understanding why that is.”
'A definitive change'
Despite this, Ms Benson said there are things to be optimistic about, noting that public awareness about violence against women has increased in recent years.
“We have been very silent and stigmatising of this issue for so many years,” she said.
“There has been a definitive change in the public conversation in the openness to discussing really important work in areas like consent - [which] has been trailblazing over only the last 10-years.
“I do think that that is encouraging people to speak.”
A mural on Chancery Street in Dublin, featuring the words "Stop Killing Women" that was created by for Women's Aid by the artist Emmalene Blake. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ieMs Benson added that it is important to emphasise that it is not only women who are victims of male violence, adding that abuse can be directed “towards men as well and also those in LGBT relationships”.
“Our helpline will signpost towards the likes of the Men’s Development Network Male Advice Line and other relevant support services,” she said.
“There should be support there for everybody but we are talking specifically about a very gendered issue.
“What I would also say is that the vast majority of violence against men is perpetrated by men.
“So, this work to end male violence against women is also work to end male violence against men.”
For those who have been impacted by violence and need support, they can contact Women’s Aid on 1800 341 900 and the the Men’s Development Network Male Advice Line can be called on 1800 816 588.
Main image: A shadow of a man with a clenched fist as a woman cowers in the corner. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy
