Sexual violence, rape offences rise sharply in EU over past decade

Sexual violence and rape offences recorded by police across the EU have risen sharply over the past decade, according to data published Wednesday by the EU’s statistics office, Eurostat.

In 2024, police in the EU recorded 256,302 sexual violence offences, including 98,190 rape cases.

Compared with 2023, sexual violence offences rose by 5%, while rape cases increased by 7%.

The figures reflect a continued rise in reported sexual violence over the past decade.

Over the 2014-2024 period, sexual violence offences increased by 94%, while rape offences rose by 150%.

Eurostat said the increase in recorded offences may be linked to rising awareness, which could affect reporting rates.

In contrast, intentional homicides in the EU declined over the same period.

In 2024, police recorded 3,953 intentional homicides, a 1% increase compared with 2023, but an 11% decrease compared with 2014.

Eurostat data showed that 2015 recorded the highest number of intentional homicides at 4,616.

From 2016 onward, figures declined to 3,735 in 2019. In 2020, the number rose to 3,820, then fell to 3,645 in 2021.

After 2021, figures increased to 3,838 in 2022, 3,897 in 2023 and 3,953 in 2024.