Gender-based violence

Definition. Violence committed against a person because of their sex, gender or the social relations associated with them. It may take physical, sexual, psychological or economic forms.

Key points. The concept covers different situations: violence within an intimate relationship or family, sexual assault, harassment, exploitation, certain harmful practices and other forms of violence in which the victim’s sex or gender plays a part in the choice of victim or in the circumstances of the offence.

Women and girls are particularly affected, although the concept is not exclusively limited to them.

Statistical measurement depends on the source used. Complaints and incidents recorded by the police provide information about situations brought to the attention of the authorities. Victimisation or prevalence surveys may identify violence that has never been reported to the police. These data should therefore not be treated as equivalent.

Related concepts. Femicide · Violence prevention · Individual criminal responsibility