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What do the figures on violence against women in France show?

What do the figures on violence against women in France show?

A mural painted by artist Maca_dessine as a tribute to Gisèle Pelicot is on a street in Gentilly, France, on September 21, 2024.

lots of shows It took place in France on Saturday, November 23Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November. Two high-profile cases that emerged at the beginning of autumn reflect the extent of sexist and sexual violence in France: Accusations of sexual violence against Abbé Pierre And The trial of Dominique PelicotHe is accused of drugging his wife so that she could be raped by more than 50 men who were defendants in the trial.

Regardless of the form of assault, harassment, rape, domestic violence or femicide, violence against women is quite common. Adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 1993 Declaration on the Prevention of Violence Against WomenIt is defined as “any act of gender-based violence that causes or is likely to cause physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.” in public or private life.”

In France, various statistics, although they partially reflect the truth, allow determining the number of women victims of violence.

Why is sexual and gender-based violence so difficult to measure?

The baseline data available on violence against women comes from two types of annual reports prepared by the Department of Homeland Security Statistical Service (SSMSI). The first of these is a statistical report titled “Distrust and Criminality”, based on complaints recorded annually by the police and national gendarmerie in France (but does not take into account other actions, such as complaints recorded without any charges being filed).

However, this is not a comprehensive assessment as not all victims systematically complain or sometimes do not do so until later. Following the #MeToo revelations, the number of complaints about sexual violence increased rapidly. In 2023, half of victims filed a complaint six months after the incident, and 17% more than five years later (compared to 9% in 2016).

To better understand the real situation, the French government is preparing a second annual report titled “Personal Experiences and the Aftermath of Security” (VRS). A representative sample of people aged 18 to 74 in France is surveyed about the crimes and harassment they have been victims of throughout their lives.

Sexual violence is on the rise

Accordingly latest VRS survey In the report published at the end of 2023, 270,000 women stated that they were exposed to physical sexual violence (rape, attempted rape and sexual assault), while 1.14 million women were exposed to non-physical sexual violence (sexual harassment and indecent exposure) in 2022.

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However, only a small minority complained to the police or gendarmerie. Only 6% for physical sexual violence and 2% for non-physical sexual violence. Those who do not complain think that “it would be useless” (23%), “it is not serious enough” (23%) or “their statements will not be taken seriously” (15%). .

As a result, the data collected by law enforcement is logically smaller than the results of declaratory surveys, but still shows an annual increase. In 2023, 114,100 formal complaints of sexual violence were recorded, 85% of which were made by women; this is a consistent annual rate.

In terms of speaking openly, it has been made easier since 2017. #MeToo movementThe number of victims of sexual violence registered by the police and gendarmerie in 2023 was 7% more than in 2022; this figure includes the number of older cases filed.

Underage women are the main victims of sexual violence

Of the 114,100 victims of sexual violence recorded by law enforcement in 2023, 65,300 were minors, the majority of whom were young women. However, boys between the ages of 9 and 19 are just as likely to be victims of sexual violence.

On the other hand, almost all of the perpetrators were men. Of the 76,621 people charged by the police and gendarmerie in cases of definitive sexual violence in 2023, 96% were men and 27% were between the ages of 30-44.

Additionally, according to statements recorded in the 2023 VRS survey, 52% of victims of rape, attempted rape or assault said they knew the attacker. In 13% of cases, the perpetrator was a partner, in 15% a former partner, and in 11% a friend. The report states that women are six times more likely to be victims of physical sexual violence than men.

Femicides at the center of domestic violence

On average, every three days a woman is killed by her husband or ex-lover. According to the 2023 report of the Inter-Ministerial Mission for the Protection of Women (MIPROF), there were 93 femicide and 319 femicide attempts. The figures are considered to be underestimated by some feminist groups. #NousToutes collective At least 135 femicides were counted in 2023, and as of November 20, 122 femicides were reported for 2024.

The MIPROF report adds to this number 773 victims of spousal or ex-partner abuse who committed suicide or attempted suicide.

Genese (Gender and Security) survey According to the research conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2021, it is estimated that 3.6 million women (15.9%) aged between 18 and 74 say that they have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by their partner at least once since the age of 15. The number of domestic violence victims recorded in 2022 increased by 15% compared to 2021.

Sexism: One form of sexual violence will lead to another

Even though it is invisible from the outside, psychological violence should not be taken lightly. VRS research reveals that the vast majority of women experiencing domestic violence report very significant (36%) and fairly significant (42%) psychological abuse. The 2018 law against sexist and sexual violence establishes punishable offenses of sexist insults and street harassment. Since the law came into force, 2,600 such crimes have been recorded by law enforcement in France.

Gender stereotypes and casual sexism also persist and 2023 Annual Report on the Current Situation of Sexism in France By the High Council for Equality between Women and Men (HCE): “The public recognizes and deplores the existence of sexism, a phenomenon particularly prevalent among men surveyed, but does not reject it in practice. This discrepancy between perception, expressions and practice is symbolic, physical, sexual and “There is a continuum of violence, from everyday ‘everyday’ sexism to its most violent manifestations.”

The report is based on a “sexism barometer” that shows the majority of women experience this on a daily basis: 57% of women are currently subjected to sexist jokes or remarks (two-thirds of whom are in the upper socio-professional group). categories), 41% were subjected to whistling and inappropriate gestures from men, and 29% were subjected to inappropriate comments about their clothing or body.

2024 edition of the HCE report It once again reveals that the vast majority of French women and men continue to experience gender inequality: 92% of the population thinks that women and men are not treated equally in at least one part of society. Nine out of 10 women say they have changed some of their actions and behaviors to avoid being a victim of sexism.

Translation of the original article published in French limonde.fr; The publisher can only be responsible for the French version.

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