Violence against women : An EU-wide survey

Violence against women encompasses crimes that disproportionately impact on women, such as sexual assault, rape and 'domestic violence'. It is a violation of women's fundamental rights with respect to dignity and equality. The impact of violence against women stretches beyond those women who are themselves victims, since it affects families, friends and society as a whole. It calls for a critical look at how society and the state respond to this abuse. Measures to fight and prevent violence against women are therefore required at both European Union (EU) and national levels