National statistics bureau, Statec, on 11 July on the subject. 5,695 residents, of which 2,734 women were chosen at random to participate in the study over 2019 and 2020.

Different types of violent acts

The report distinguishes between four different types of violence: mental, bodily, sexual and economic violence. Over a lifetime, 51.7% of women in the grand duchy will have been victims of psychological violence, followed by physical aggressions (31.5%) and sexual violence (27.1%). 6.7% of women reported economic violence, where the perpetrator holds their financial superiority above their victim, controls access to economic resources or forbids the victim from gaining any financial independence through external work.

One in two women in the grand duchy in her life will also have been victim of stalking and sexual or moral harassment. Women are also not sheltered in their professional space, as 15% of women reported suffering from mental violence, and 7% from physical violence in the workplace.

4% of women have been attacked by their partner over the last twelve months, according to the survey. While men are also likely to be attacked by their close social circle (10%), the incidence is higher among women (15%).

Age factor

Women between 16 and 24 tended to be harassed more often than older age groups, says Statec, regardless of the nature of the violent act committed. One in six will have been on the receiving act of mental, bodily, economic or sexual violence over the past year. This rate decreases according to the age of the victim: less than 5% of women who are older than 65, for instance, have reported psychological violence--the most prevalent kind of violent act.

Women who have already been attacked in one way or another also expected to be targeted more often (41%) than women who hadn’t experienced violence in recent times (27%).

Compared to other EU member states, Luxembourg recorded a lower than average number of cases of sexual or bodily harm. Northern and Western European countries like Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Denmark and Belgium (all around 11%) recorded the highest rates of violence against women. This, however, is not an indicator of the reality on the field, Statec reminds, as certain social climates promote awareness around reporting acts of gender-based violence.