Of Finnish women, 37.3% reported experiencing sexual violence, compared to the EU average of 17.2%. A further 19.7% had experienced physical violence or threats without sexual violence.
The findings reflect lifetime prevalence and do not include incidents prior to the age of 15. They are based on a representative sample of nearly 4,600 women in Finland, collected between 2020 and 2024 as part of the EU Gender-Based Violence Survey.
When examining violence by intimate partners, 33.8% of Finnish women reported having experienced physical violence, threats, or sexual violence at the hands of a partner at some point in their life. When psychological abuse is included, the share rises to 52.6%, making Finland one of only three EU countries where more than half of women report intimate partner abuse.
The survey also found that 12% of Finnish women had experienced intimate partner violence within the previous 12 months, the highest rate recorded in the EU.
Violence perpetrated by individuals other than an intimate partner was also widespread. In Finland, 46.5% of women reported having been subjected to physical or sexual violence by non-partners since the age of 15, again the highest rate among the 27 EU member states.
The share of women in Finland who reported having been raped by someone other than their partner was 9.8%, more than double the EU average of 3.8%. Additionally, 24.4% reported experiencing non-rape sexual violence by a non-partner, such as unwanted touching or coercion.
Sexual harassment in the workplace was another area where Finland reported elevated levels. 53.7% of Finnish women said they had experienced sexual harassment at work during their working life, the second-highest rate in the EU after Sweden. The EU average was 30.8%.
Among younger Finnish women (aged 18–29), the figure rose to 41.6%. Across Europe, the highest incidence of workplace sexual harassment was reported by women in this age group.
Despite the high prevalence rates, only a fraction of women who experienced violence reported incidents to the police. EU-wide, just 13.9% of victims said they contacted law enforcement. In Finland, national breakdowns on reporting behaviour were not included in the summary data, but previous studies have shown that barriers such as fear of disbelief, shame, or distrust in institutions can limit reporting.
The survey cautioned against direct comparisons between countries due to variations in reporting behaviour, social awareness, and survey methodology. In Finland, data collection was conducted online via self-completion, which researchers say may lead to greater disclosure of sensitive experiences.
The results also reflect what researchers describe as the “Nordic paradox,” where countries with high levels of gender equality simultaneously report high levels of gender-based violence. Explanations include greater public awareness, stronger protections for victims, and more willingness to disclose abuse.
The survey covered 27 EU countries and interviewed more than 114,000 women aged 18–74. The full report will be expanded in 2025 to include further analysis on the impact of violence and access to support services.
HT
