In 2022, 48,800 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members worldwide, which works out to a woman or girl killed every 11 minutes. Behind that speed is a wider pattern that reaches far beyond the headline deaths, with about 736 million women experiencing intimate partner or non partner physical and or sexual violence. These figures also connect to health, reporting gaps, and punishment rates, making the “VAW crisis” look different once you line up the full dataset.
Key Takeaways
- Globally, about 736 million women—almost one in three (30%)—have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
- In 2022, 48,800 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members worldwide, equating to a woman or girl killed every 11 minutes.
- 38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners globally.
- Globally, VAW survivors 1.5x more likely to acquire STIs including HIV.
- Women experiencing IPV 16% more likely to suffer miscarriage.
- IPV victims 1.5x more likely to have heart disease, stroke.
- In the United States, more than 10 million women experience domestic violence annually.
- 1 in 4 women (25%) in the US have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
- In the US, 48.4% of women have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner.
- Globally, only 10% of VAW cases reported to police.
- In US, 50% of rapes never reported.
- Only 5% of US IPV cases lead to arrest.
- Globally, 1 in 3 women (35%) have experienced physical and/or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner.
- In the US, 1 in 5 women have been raped in their lifetime.
- 91% of rape victims in the US are female.
Nearly one in three women worldwide experience intimate partner or sexual violence, yet only a fraction of cases are reported.
Related reading
01 · Category
Global Prevalence30 stats
01
Globally, about 736 million women—almost one in three (30%)—have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
02
In 2022, 48,800 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members worldwide, equating to a woman or girl killed every 11 minutes.
03
38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners globally.
04
27% of women aged 15-49 who have been in a relationship report physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner.
05
Worldwide, nearly 50% of women who are murdered are killed by an intimate partner or family member.
06
1 in 3 women globally experience sexual violence in their lifetime.
07
Up to 85,000 women and girls were raped daily during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period globally.
08
35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner at some point in their lives.
09
Globally, 6% of women report being sexually assaulted by someone other than their husband or partner.
10
An estimated 245 million women and girls experienced sexual and/or physical violence in the past 12 months worldwide.
11
81% of women killed by partners were killed with a firearm or knife globally.
12
Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, motor accidents, war, and malaria combined globally.
13
58% of women murdered globally were killed by intimate partners or family members in 2021.
14
Globally, 15% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months.
15
One in four girls globally is at risk of becoming a child bride, increasing vulnerability to violence.
16
90% of the world's girls aged 15-19 live in countries with moderate-to-high child marriage prevalence, linked to VAW.
17
Globally, 650 million women alive today were married as children, facing lifelong violence risks.
18
In conflict settings, 21% of women report experiencing sexual violence.
19
12% of girls aged 15-19 have experienced forced sex globally.
20
Worldwide, 120 million girls under 20 (1 in 10) have experienced forced intercourse or other forced sexual acts.
21
30% of ever-partnered women aged 15+ have experienced intimate partner physical/sexual violence globally.
22
Globally, femicide rates stand at 2.1 per 100,000 women.
23
49% of female homicide victims are killed by current or former intimate partners worldwide.
24
In 2017, over 50,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members globally.
25
137 women per day are killed by a family member or intimate partner globally.
26
Globally, 71% of all victims of trafficking are women and girls, often for sexual exploitation.
27
23.4 million women and girls were in modern slavery in 2021, including sexual exploitation.
28
99% of women and girls in the world experience some form of violence during their lifetime.
29
In low- and middle-income countries, 40% of women report intimate partner violence.
30
Globally, 18% of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner in 2018.
Interpretation
Global Prevalence Interpretation
Under the global prevalence lens, violence against women is widespread, with about 736 million women nearly one in three reporting physical and/or sexual intimate partner or non-partner violence and with 1 in 3 experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime.
02 · Category
Health Impacts30 stats
01
Globally, VAW survivors 1.5x more likely to acquire STIs including HIV.
02
Women experiencing IPV 16% more likely to suffer miscarriage.
03
IPV victims 1.5x more likely to have heart disease, stroke.
04
Sexual violence increases depression risk by 2.5 times.
05
42% of IPV victims develop PTSD.
06
VAW causes 1.4 million female deaths yearly globally.
07
In US, $5.8 billion annual healthcare costs from IPV.
08
Child abuse witnesses 50% more likely to abuse alcohol.
09
Rape survivors 4x more likely to attempt suicide.
10
35-45% of women with disabilities sexually assaulted lifetime.
11
IPV during pregnancy doubles low birth weight risk.
12
VAW linked to 50% increase in chronic pain disorders.
13
In UK, 40% of domestic violence victims suffer long-term health issues.
14
Australia: VAW victims 3x higher depression rates.
15
Canada: IPV survivors 2x suicide attempt risk.
16
India: 56% IPV victims report poor mental health.
17
South Africa: HIV prevalence 3x higher in abused women.
18
Brazil: VAW causes 20% maternal mortality rise.
19
Mexico: 70% violence victims report anxiety disorders.
20
Russia: 60% domestic violence victims depressed.
21
France: VAW linked to 30% eating disorders.
22
Germany: Sexual assault victims 50% chronic stress.
23
Italy: IPV doubles hypertension risk.
24
Spain: 45% VAW survivors PTSD symptoms.
25
Japan: 25% sexual violence victims suicidal ideation.
26
US: VAW lost productivity $1.5 billion yearly.
27
Global economic cost of VAW $1.5 trillion annually.
28
IPV victims 40% less likely to work full-time.
29
In UK, VAW costs £66 billion over lifetime.
30
Australia: $21.7 billion annual VAW cost.
Interpretation
Health Impacts Interpretation
From a health impacts perspective, violence against women sharply raises disease and mental health risks, with survivors globally 1.5 times more likely to acquire STIs including HIV and IPV linked to 42% of victims developing PTSD, alongside VAW causing 1.4 million female deaths each year.
03 · Category
Intimate Partner Violence30 stats
01
In the United States, more than 10 million women experience domestic violence annually.
02
1 in 4 women (25%) in the US have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
03
In the US, 48.4% of women have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner.
04
41% of women in the US report experiencing coercive control by an intimate partner.
05
In the UK, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse during their lifetime.
06
75% of domestic violence murders in the UK occur after the victim has left or is trying to leave.
07
In Australia, 1 in 6 women have experienced an incident of physical and/or sexual violence from a cohabiting partner since age 15.
08
27% of Australian women aged 15+ have experienced emotional abuse by a partner.
09
In Canada, 44% of women have experienced at least one form of IPV.
10
61% of Canadian women who experienced IPV reported emotional abuse.
11
In India, 31.9% of ever-married women aged 15-49 have experienced spousal violence.
12
30% of Indian women aged 18-49 report physical violence by husbands.
13
In South Africa, 23% of women report physical violence by partners.
14
12% of South African women experienced sexual violence from current/former partners.
15
In Brazil, 10,000 women are victims of femicide annually, mostly by partners.
16
27.5% of Brazilian women report lifetime IPV.
17
In Mexico, 66% of women over 15 have suffered violence, 43% from partners.
18
41.2% of Mexican women experienced partner violence in 2021.
19
In Russia, 16,000 women die annually from domestic violence.
20
40% of Russian women face domestic violence.
21
In France, 215,000 women are victims of physical/sexual violence by partners yearly.
22
82,000 French women victims of marital rape annually.
23
In Germany, 1 in 5 women experiences IPV.
24
25% of German women report partner violence.
25
In Italy, 31% of women have suffered physical/psychological violence by partners.
26
5.7% of Italian women experienced sexual violence from partners.
27
In Spain, 1 million women suffer partner violence yearly.
28
12.5% of Spanish women lifetime IPV prevalence.
29
In Japan, 19.1% of women experienced IPV.
30
17.4% of Japanese women report spousal violence.
Interpretation
Intimate Partner Violence Interpretation
In intimate partner violence, the scale is stark in the United States where 1 in 4 women, or 25%, report severe physical violence and 41% report coercive control, underscoring how both physical and controlling abuse can be experienced within relationships.
More related reading
04 · Category
Legal And Societal Responses30 stats
01
Globally, only 10% of VAW cases reported to police.
02
In US, 50% of rapes never reported.
03
Only 5% of US IPV cases lead to arrest.
04
UK conviction rate for rape 1.6%.
05
Australia: 15% sexual assaults proceed to court.
06
Canada: 12% IPV cases prosecuted.
07
India: Rape conviction rate 27%.
08
South Africa: 8% rape cases convicted.
09
Brazil: Femicide conviction rate 20%.
10
Mexico: 98% impunity for femicide.
11
Russia: No specific domestic violence law until 2017 decriminalized.
12
France: 80% domestic violence complaints dropped.
13
Germany: 8% rape convictions.
14
Italy: 12% stalking cases prosecuted.
15
Spain: VAW law since 2004, 1,200 shelters.
16
Japan: Low reporting due to stigma, 10% conviction.
17
Globally, 52 countries have no domestic violence laws.
18
111 countries criminalized marital rape by 2023.
19
UNiTE campaign reached 3 billion people.
20
143 countries passed VAW laws since 2006.
21
US VAWA funded 2,000 programs.
22
UK: 1 million domestic abuse helpline calls yearly.
23
Australia: 180 refuges for VAW.
24
India: 750 one-stop centers for VAW.
25
South Africa: Thuthuzela centers increased convictions 70%.
26
Brazil: Maria da Penha law reduced femicide 10%.
27
Mexico: Gender alert in 20 states.
28
France: 250,000 protections orders issued yearly.
29
Germany: 100 women’s crisis centers.
30
Italy: 300 anti-violence centers.
Interpretation
Legal And Societal Responses Interpretation
Across legal and societal systems, reporting and prosecution remain rare, with only 10% of VAW cases reaching police globally and subsequent outcomes often ending well before conviction, such as the UK’s 1.6% rape conviction rate and Australia’s 15% of sexual assaults proceeding to court.
05 · Category
Sexual Violence30 stats
01
Globally, 1 in 3 women (35%) have experienced physical and/or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner.
02
In the US, 1 in 5 women have been raped in their lifetime.
03
91% of rape victims in the US are female.
04
In the UK, 1 in 5 women have experienced rape or sexual assault since age 13.
05
97% of women in the UK know their rapist.
06
In Australia, 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence since age 15.
07
2 million Australian women have experienced sexual assault.
08
In Canada, 1 in 3 women have experienced sexual assault.
09
82% of Canadian child sexual abuse victims are girls.
10
In India, 99% of sexual assault cases unreported.
11
32,000 reported rapes in India in 2021.
12
In South Africa, 1 in 4 men admit to raping a woman.
13
25% of South African women raped before 15.
14
In Brazil, 66,000 rapes reported in 2021.
15
90% of Brazilian rape victims are women under 17.
16
In Mexico, 10 women raped every hour.
17
21,000 sexual violence cases in Mexico 2022.
18
In Russia, 1 in 10 women raped in lifetime.
19
Russia reports 3,000 rapes yearly, mostly underreported.
20
In France, 100,000 women raped annually.
21
1 in 10 French women victim of sexual violence before 18.
22
In Germany, 9% of women experienced sexual violence since 16.
23
300,000 sexual assaults in Germany yearly.
24
In Italy, 8.5% of women raped or sexually assaulted.
25
5 million Italian women victims of sexual violence lifetime.
26
In Spain, 12% of women experienced sexual violence.
27
20,000 sexual assaults reported in Spain 2022.
28
In Japan, 4.5% of women experienced sexual violence.
29
1,000 rapes reported monthly in Japan.
30
Globally, sexual violence causes 42,000 female deaths yearly from injuries.
Interpretation
Sexual Violence Interpretation
Across countries, sexual violence is strikingly common, with 1 in 5 women reporting rape or sexual assault since adolescence in both the US and the UK and 97% of UK rape victims knowing their rapist, showing how closely sexual harm is tied to familiar relationships.
report visual · Key figures
Violence against women: prevalence and partner-related impact
Violence against women is widespread globally, with intimate partners/family members driving a large share of serious outcomes.
30%
Globally, about 736 million women—almost one in three (30%)—have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner vio
27%
27% of women aged 15-49 who have been in a relationship report physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner.
38%
38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners globally.
48,800
In 2022, 48,800 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members worldwide, equating to a woman or gir
58%
58% of women murdered globally were killed by intimate partners or family members in 2021.
50,000
In 2017, over 50,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members globally.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Priya Chandrasekaran. (2026, February 13). Violence Against Women Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/violence-against-women-statistics
MLA
Priya Chandrasekaran. "Violence Against Women Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/violence-against-women-statistics.
Chicago
Priya Chandrasekaran. 2026. "Violence Against Women Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/violence-against-women-statistics.
Sources & references
52 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level