Geschlechtsspezifische Gewalt

Gender-based violence against women is violence directed against women because the victims are female . This includes all actions that cause women physical, sexual, or psychological suffering, or economic harm. Even the threat of violence counts, as does coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, regardless of whether it occurs in public or private life.

High risk in family and circle of friends

Gender-based violence against women is a human rights violation and discriminates against women. It is not a marginal phenomenon in our society; rather, it shapes the everyday lives of many women in Germany and around the world. It affects women from all social backgrounds, all age groups, and all educational levels, as well as migrant women and women without migration experience.

The risk of women experiencing violence is particularly high in their close social environment . According to a study , one in four women in Germany experiences abuse by her partner; across Europe, this figure rises to one in three.

Causes of gender-based violence

The causes of violence against women lie in the unequal power relations between women and men. Violence against women serves to perpetuate this unequal distribution in society.

Men are also victims of violence. They experience violence much more frequently in public spaces, and the perpetrators are usually other men. Men are also subjected to physical and psychological abuse within their close social circles . Support services must be developed for these men affected by violence.