AVON GLOBAL WOMEN’S SURVEY Violence Against Women and Girls Foreword from Board Chairman Message from Avon CEO for The Avon Foundation for Women JAN ZIJDERVELD SUSAN ORMISTON
Since I joined Avon in 2018 I’ve been first hand witness to the power of women to I read this report with optimism for the future, but also with some sadness. I hope that change the world. I’ve seen the positive ripple effect women have on their families, the growing wave of women brave enough to stand up and share their stories of abuse will communities and ultimately on wider society and the world. create real and lasting change for future generations. I hope the emerging acknowledgement of the different forms that abuse can take will become widespread. But at the same time, I realise how far we still must go to create this change. UN data tells us that one women in three will be a victim of abuse during her lifetime, which this survey bears out.
The alarming findings of the Avon and communities. We need to bring foundation for Women’s research it out from the shadows of silence, in all its forms, the message was We’ll continue the fight, and we hope show that violence against women to help both men and women clear: It’s not ok. Enough is enough. that this research will inspire others to join us. Find us on social media, join and girls is a global epidemic. We recognise violence in all its forms. In The Avon Foundation for Women the conversation, be part of the need to end it. Our vision at Avon is answer to that need, this month we has been committed to improving movement. Together we can ensure a a world where women and girls are are launching Embrace the Change, the lives of women around the world world where women have the freedom free to lead safe and healthy lives, a global campaign highlighting the and ensuring their rights to live safe to live free from the fear of violence. where they have the opportunity to different forms of abuse. and healthy lives for over sixty years. fulfil their potential and build better Critically, the campaign is not While donating over $60 million to lives and a better world. targeted at women. Men are a fund frontline emergency services Avon has been working to tackle crucial part of the solution. I invite and other important initiatives, we’ve also funded 22 Justice Institutes in violence against women and girls you to have a look at the videos 13 countries. These bring together I’ve met thousands of Avon since 2004. We were one of the first and share with your network. Our At the Avon Foundation for Women, legislative, law enforcement and Representatives around the world – to companies to step up and speak intention is that Embrace the we believe that effective solutions support services, encouraging the 90% of whom are women. I’ve seen out against what was then widely Change and this report will inspire collaboration and conversation that their passion, their entrepreneurial seen as a taboo subject generally, the conversation and reflection need to take account women’s is needed to prosecute and hold spirit, their ambition to achieve, desire and sadly still is in many of the needed to make change happen. attitudes, views and beliefs about offenders accountable for their to earn money to build a better life, countries where Avon operates. violence and abuse. We need to The Avon Foundation for Women Change will require collective action actions and to keep women and agility to develop new skills. These Our efforts have included raising understand how cultural differences has been committed to improving – from corporations and government, their families safe. are not gender specific traits. But all money for organisations working with impact women’s attitudes to violence, the lives of women around the world individuals and society. This piece and to what extent this issue crosses too often women encounter barriers survivors of violence and improving Our Promise to Help End Violence and ensuring their rights to live safe of research is just one of the ways in cultural divides. It is to answer to these that hold them back. the support given to those who suffer. Against Women and Girls sets out and healthy lives for over sixty years. which we at Avon plan to contribute. questions that the Avon Foundation our approach to this challenge, and While donating over $60 million to Through our network of 6 million Today the landscape is different We hope you will join us as we move commissioned this global survey. where we’ll focus our efforts as we fund frontline emergency services Representatives across the world – violence against women and forward in ending the abuse of move forward. Partnerships are key and other important initiatives, we’ve we see the interconnected nature of girls is a UN priority, governments women around the world – together. We hope that by understanding more and we’re grateful for the ongoing also funded 22 Justice Institutes in the numerous obstacles to women’s around the world reference the about how women’s expectations of commitment and relentless effort of 13 countries. These bring together freedom. Financial independence, need to prioritise it, and the #MeToo relationships, understanding what they our many partners around the world legislative, law enforcement and access to flexible work, lack of movement has sparked global understand to be violent or abusive in addressing this issue. In particular, support services, encouraging the learning opportunities, imbalance awareness of the pervasiveness of behaviour and their attitudes to and I’d like to extend a huge thanks to the collaboration and conversation that of power; it’s a complex web of the abuse of women. willingness to seek help, we can Human Rights team from Vital Voices is needed to prosecute and hold issues and gender-based violence encourage more and better Yet despite this, abusive behaviour Global Partnership, who we have offenders accountable for their is a recurring theme. conversations about this issue. is still normalised in many families worked with to deliver the Avon Justice actions and to keep women and their Despite regional differences on Institutes on Gender-Based Violence families safe. Our Promise to Help many of these issues, one thing and whose expertise and global End Violence Against Women and was consistent. When it comes to insight was invaluable in the design Girls sets out our approach to this acceptance of violence and abuse of this research. challenge and where we’ll focus our efforts as we move forward.
2 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 3 CONTENTS
6 Introduction Ending violence against women and girls 10 Key findings 12 Methodology Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women are launching #embracethechange, a 13 Results global campaign to raise awareness of the often-unspoken non-physical forms of violence that have a devastating impact on victims. 13 Gender relations in the private space 20 Gender relations in the public sphere The campaign focuses on the attitudes and actions that are violent 32 Seeking support most pervasive forms of violence towards women. The campaign’s against women and girls: street goal is to promote self-reflection and 40 Prevalence of abuse harassment, cyber bullying, coercive a change of mind, and to challenge control and domestic abuse. the normalising or acceptance of These forms of abuse are at risk of violence against women and girls. being normalised, and it is vital to #embracethechange will be adopted recognise them for what they are by more than 50 Avon markets – gender-based violence. around the world as they raise Each November, the UN runs awareness of this important issue, its global campaign, 16 Days of and deliver on the Avon Promise to Activism Against Gender-Based Help End Violence Against Women Violence. #embracethechange and Girls. supports this campaign. Avon has developed four animations, each addressing a different type of violence, showing common situations where women are treated in a manner that is degrading, controlling and hostile – the kind of violence that harms a woman’s self- esteem, freedom and her rights. The stories portrayed in each video call for perpetrators to reflect on their behaviour and to recognise
4 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 5 INTRODUCTION Violence against women and girls – the context Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women: working to In 2015, a specific focus on addressing violence against women and girls was end violence against women and girls since 2004 included in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. This began to focus the world’s attention on the issue, and started a drive to action across Avon and the Avon government, NGO and individual circles. Foundation for Women have been long-standing PROMISE TO HELP END VIOLENCE AGAINST supporters of women and WOMEN & GIRLS defenders of their rights. At Avon, we believe in a world where women and girls can live a life free from violence In 2004, Avon launched and abuse. its ‘Speak Out Against One in three women will be a victim of violence in her lifetime. At Avon, we see every woman as a person – not as a statistic – and each instance of violence is one too many. The paths that Domestic Violence’ lead to these crimes often start at home and within relationships that should be sanctuaries of trust and love. campaign and since Avon, with the help of our Representatives around the world, has a legacy of working to end then, Avon and the Avon domestic violence and supporting victims and their families. We’ve donated more than $60 million
Foundation have worked But there is much more to do. That’s why we’re renewing our commitment to help end violence around the world to end violence against women and WE’LL COMMIT OUR RESOURCES, OUR PEOPLE AND OUR ENERGY TO: girls through messaging, Encourage conversation: campaigning, fundraising Violence against women and girls hides in the shadows of silence. We’ll use our Two years on, this shift intersected It has been a time of rapid change, global voice to shed light on the many forms of violence against women and girls with the cultural shockwaves with norms around certain attitudes and Justice Institutes. and discuss what needs to change in order to end it. created by the #MeToo movement, and behaviours seeming to shift This year, we are renewing this Provide information: which highlighted the extent of quickly around the globe. And this commitment with the launch of We’ll make sure that everyone we work with – our network of Representatives, gender-based violence, and its provides the context for this global our Promise to Help End Violence employees, customers and partners – has the knowledge and information they need pervasiveness across geography, study, which gives a voice to the Against Women and Girls. This to recognize and respond to violence safelyand on their own terms. We’ll ensure they know what support is available and how to access these resources so they can class and culture. This is no longer perceptions and experiences of has been built on a full review of make informed choices. an issue that is talked about in the women in fifteen countries around the issue as it plays out around the abstract or just in expert circles; it the globe. world, what needs to be done, and Improve support: is one that is illustrated by billions of how we can best contribute to the People can only speak out and make change if they feel supported when they do. We’ll work with local organizations to ensure women and girlshave access to the personal stories and experiences. fight to end this fundamental abuse support they need. And we’ll convene global leadersand change makers to help make of human rights. sure women and girls are understood, supported and fairly treated when they seek help or report abuse.
We know we can’t do this alone. Change can only happen when the issue of relationship violence is addressed at every level of society. That’s why Avon is working with global leaders, local partners and our network of Representatives around the world to ensure that women and girls the men in their lives, and their communities as a whole, are aware, informed and supported in building a world where women and girls can live free from violence.
Join us.
www.avoncompany.com/corporate-responsibility/womens-causes/violence-against-women-and-girls-promise
6 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 7 Introducing this survey As we developed the Avon Promise to Help End Violence Against Women and Girls, one of the key areas of need that our review uncovered was for better global data on the issue, particularly insight into the perspectives, values and attitudes of women as they relate to violence. As the conversation around violence against women and girls shifts, we wanted to speak to women around the world, and ask what they knew, thought and felt about this issue.
We commissioned a survey of 14,400 women in fifteen countries. This survey presents a rare insight into women’s attitudes to gender relations, their perceptions of violence and its different forms, and of their attitudes towards various forms of violence. We hope that this will provide not only much-needed data to inform the conversation, but KEY also insight to inspire action as we work to end violence against women and girls around the world. FINDINGS
8 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 9 KEY FINDINGS
Expectations • There is significant variation in the extent to which women While most women • Only 59% of women globally trust the justice system to around the world feel that a woman has a ’duty’ to provide sex take claims of physical abuse seriously, and 60% trust the of relationships to her partner if he wants it – only 2% of women in Argentina trust that abuse system to take claims of sexual abuse seriously feel women have this obligation while vary considerably 38% of women in the will be treated as a • Only 58% of women globally trust the justice system to take say that they do around the world Philippines crime, levels of trust measures to protect victims of physical or sexual abuse that it will be taken • There is significant variation by country in relation to trust in the justice system – while 87% of women in the Philippines seriously are low… trust the system to treat psychological abuse as a crime, in But most women • The majority of women feel that violence can be justified in instances of , or the Russia this drops to 27% agree that violence self-defence (59%) defence of a child (55%) • ‘Insisting on knowing where his partner is’ is considered is unacceptable in acceptable behaviour from a male partner by 19% of women … and many women • Globally, 85% of women are likely to actively seek help if all but a few cases globally, and this rises to 31% in South Africa and 37% in they or someone they know was a victim of abuse, though the Philippines do not know where this varies significantly geographically –94% of women in • Whistling, shouting or commenting on women in a sexual to go for help if they the Philippines are likely to seek help whereas only 65% of way is perceived as abuse or harassment by 82% of women women in Peru are – and only and do encounter abuse globally 61% of women in Russia 65% of • Only 62% of women globally say they would know where to consider this abuse women in Italy go to seek help – and this falls to 40% in the UK and 32% in Russia • Globally, 16% of women say there is something that would While the majority • 21% of women globally feel unsafe in public – and this rises hold them back from seeking support. The most common to and of women feel safe 47% in South Africa 51% in Turkey barrier is fear of the abuse getting worse as a result, at 47%, closely followed by fear for any children involved. in public, it is by no means guaranteed … which all too • At a global level, the majority of women (56%) have some experience of abuse (either to themselves or someone they many do know). The most common form of abuse experienced is psychological abuse, followed by physical abuse
10 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 11 METHODOLOGY
The survey was designed and delivered with support from a range of partners including Populus, Good Business and Vital Voices.
1000 women were surveyed in each of the 15 countries listed in Table 1, Country Sample size with the exception of Ecuador Argentina 1,000 where difficulties in achieving a representative sample meant that Brazil 1,000 the sample size was capped at 400. Chile 1,000 Only women over the age of 18 were surveyed. Columbia 1,000 The survey was conducted online Ecuador 400 using a dedicated platform which Italy 1,000 remained live until the sample quota was reached, a timeframe Mexico 1,000 that varied from two to three weeks. Peru 1,000 RESULTS: 01 Date of fieldwork: Philippines 1,000 28th of September to 24th Poland 1,000 of October 2018 Gender relations in Romania 1,000 Sample breakdown: nationally representative by age and region Russia 1,000 the private space across 15 countries (listed in table 1) Turkey 1,000 Questionnaire design: South Africa 1,000 43 questions, containing a mix of We asked women about their expectations Likert scales, multiple choice and UK 1,000 of relationships and what behaviours were yes/no options. Table 1: Countries surveyed and sample size seen as abusive. Please see Appendix A for questionnaire. We explore three key questions:
What expectations do women have of relationships?
Is violence ever acceptable?
What behaviours are considered to be abuse?
12 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 13 Results – 01: Gender relations in the private space
What expectations do women have of relationships?
Globally, the majority of women value equality in a relationship and feel that violence is not acceptable. However there is a small number of women who feel that violence is something that women have to tolerate, and that a wife has a ‘duty’ to provide sex to her husband. This question around the ‘duty’ to provide sex is the one with the greatest level of geographical variation – while 97% of women in Argentina disagree that women have a duty to provide sex, this number falls to 45% in the Philippines.
The global picture Country comparison
When it comes to sex in relationships, most women agree that contraception is acceptable, and something that For obligation to have sex should be agreed by the couple. Violence from a partner is largely deemed unacceptable, and not something that The highest degree of global variation on these statements is for the question looking at a women’s obligation to have should be kept behind closed doors. The majority also disagree with the idea that women have an obligation to sex with her husband. While 97% of women in Argentina disagreed with this statement, in the Philippines just 45% provide sex to their partners. did, with 38% of women in this country feeling that it is a woman’s duty to have sex with her husband if he wants it. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? “If her partner wants sex, it is a woman’s’ duty to give it to him”
3% 9%
83% 89% 93% 83% 97% 95% 94% 93% 91% 90% 88% 87% 85% 84% 82% 75% 73% 67% 45%
91% 83%
9% 2% 2% 3% 3% 4% 4% 5% 5% 5% 10% 8% 13% 14% 20% 38% 9% 6% 4% tal er ile ra il t is acce ta le A man and oman er artner A man sing an ometimes a oman Glo al oland e ico r e ssia c ador Argentina olom ia omania to se s o ld decide toget er ants se it is iolence against is s o ld tolerate ili ines contrace tion at t e o a oman s d t artner is a ri ate iolence to ee er o t A rica contrace ti e to se to gi e it to im matter t at s o ld not amil toget er e disc ssed o tside Agree Disagree t e co le Neither agree nor disagree Prefer not to say Agree Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree Prefer not to say
One other data point stood out in this series of questions: in Brazil, 53% of women agree with the statement “a man and woman should decide together what type of contraceptive to use”, compared with the global mean of 83%.
14 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 15 Results – 01: Gender relations in the private space
Country comparison Is violence ever acceptable? For protecting a child 53% of women globally feel that violence is justified to protect a child. However, there is significant variation between The majority of women in all countries think violence against a partner different countries – 28% of women in Romania agree that violence is justified in this case, compared to 73% in the UK. cannot be justified when he/she does not do what is asked, flirts with someone else, breaks marriage or relationship vows, is unfaithful, or It is justified to use physical violence against a partner to protect a child goes against societal values. However, over half of women globally feel that violence can be justified to protect a child, or in self-defence. 34% 41% 34% 32% 29% 27% 23% 23% 22% 19% 14% Women in Argentina are the least likely to consider there being any 63% 50% 47% 44% 42% justification for violence, while in the Philippines, Russia, and Turkey, higher numbers consider there to be some situations in which violence is justified.
53% 46% 49% 55% 58% 60% 65% 61% 56% 72% 73% 45% 44% 48% The global picture 28% 32% While a significant proportion of women feel that violence can be justified in instances of self-defence or the defence tal of a child, women around the world broadly agree that violence is unacceptable in other instances. er ile ra il Glo al r e e ico oland ssia c ador omania olom ia Argentina ili ines o t A rica It is justified to use physical violence against a partner... Agree Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Prefer not to say
34% 27% Country comparison 34 % 92% 89% 88% 86% 81% For self-defence There is also some variation between countries when it comes to the justification of violence in instances of self- defence. Less than 40% of women in Romania and Turkey feel that it is justifiable, while in a number of countries, including the UK, Poland, Russia and South Africa, that number rises to over 70%.
53%53 % 59% It is justified to use physical violence against a partner in self-defence
4% 5% 5% 7% 8% en e s e en e s e en e s e en e s e en e s e to rotect in sel de ence does not do at seems to lirt rea s t e is n ait l does somet ing a c ild 27% 49% 49% 37% 37% 33% 32% 31% 26% 23% 20% 18% 17% 17% 15% 10% o as o t em it anot er o s o t at goes against erson marriage o r t e al es o relations i o r societ
Agree Disagree 59% 36% 39% 48% 52% 54% 56% 56% 60% 63% 61% 71% 72% 71% 72% 76% Neither agree nor disagree Prefer not to say
tal ra il er ile Glo al r e e ico ssia oland c ador omania olom ia Argentina ili ines o t A rica
Agree Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree Prefer not to say
16 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 17 Results – 01: Gender relations in the private space
What behaviours are considered to be abuse?
We explored women’s acceptance of a number of different behaviours, including various forms of physical, sexual, financial and psychological abuse. Around the world, the majority of women consider forms of physical, sexual, financial and psychological abuse unacceptable. However, there is a degree of variation in this. Notably only 68% think it is unacceptable to insist on knowing where a partner is at any time – a behaviour which is widely considered by experts to be a form of coercive control.
The global picture Country comparison
The majority of women around the world consider all the forms of behaviour explored to be unacceptable, with For perceptions of coercive control particularly high numbers around violent behaviour. Women are less united on how they perceive a husband or Knowing where a partner – a behaviour considered by most to be a form of coercive control – is more commonly seen male partner insisting on knowing where his partner is. as acceptable than other behaviours by women worldwide. There is also a greater degree of variation in how this behaviour is perceived by women in different countries. How acceptable or unacceptable do you think the following behaviours are from a husband or other male partner? Insisting on knowing where his partner is
68% 77% 77% 76% 75% 75% 72% 71% 67% 66% 63% 63% 63% 58% 55% 51% 98% 98% 98% 97% 97% 97% 96% 96% 94% 90% 68%
reatening la ing sing a ns lting eli eratel orcing er or idding a estricting ecoming a ing nsisting on tal to rt is s ing ea on to is artner intimidating to a e se artner to a artner angr it control o no ing ile er ra il Glo al oland e ico ssia r e artner or nc ing arm is or deli eratel is artner en s e e em lo ed rom seeing er or is ere is c ador Argentina omania olom ia ili ines someone ic ing artner ma ing er does not or o tside riends or re sing i artner s artner is o t A rica close to er lling or eel ad ant to t e ome or amil s e as ed mone and eating is a o t ersel earn er im to se a o it is artner o n mone condom s ent
Acceptable Unacceptable Acceptable Unacceptable
Neither acceptable nor unacceptable Prefer not to say Neither acceptable nor unacceptable Prefer not to say
18 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 19 RESULTS: 02 Gender relations in the public sphere
In this section, we explore the public (rather than the private) sphere, looking at harassment and abuse in public and from strangers. We explore how safe women feel, what is perceived as abuse, and also women’s trust in the authorities and measures to protect them.
How safe do women feel in public?
What is perceived as abuse/ harassment in public?
Do women trust the legal and law enforcement system to protect them?
20 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 21 Results – 02: Gender relations in the public sphere
How safe do women feel in public?
Around the world, 61% of respondents feel safe as a woman in public – leaving a significant minority who do not. And there are also some big differences across the globe. Russia is the country with the highest numbers of women reporting that they feel safe in public – at 91%. In Turkey however, only 27% of women state that they feel safe, and 51% state they feel unsafe.
The global picture Country comparison
While the majority of women around the world do feel safe in public, a significant proportion feel unsafe, While 91% of women in Russia and 82% of women in Poland feel safe in public, in other parts of the world the or are unsure how they feel. proportion is much lower. Only 32% of women in South Africa feel safe, and this drops to just 27% in Turkey.
How safe or unsafe do you feel as a woman in your community? How safe or unsafe do you feel as a woman in public in your community?
5% 6% 11% 8% 12% 21% 21% 21% 13% 16% 20% 23% 23% 33% 47% 51% 21%
91% 82% 75% 74% 73% 69% 67% 65% 61% 61% 55% 55% 51% 43% 32% 27% 18% 61%
Safe tal ile er ra il Glo al ssia oland e ico r e c ador omania Argentina olom ia Neither safe nor unsafe ili ines o t A rica Unsafe Safe Unsafe
Neither safe nor unsafe Prefer not to say
22 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 23 Results – 02: Gender relations in the public sphere
What is perceived as abuse/ harassment in public?
We explored whether a number of different public behaviours are considered to be abuse or harassment. The majority of women around the world recognise all the behaviours we explored as abuse or harassment, but there is some variation in the extent of agreement. Threats of violence, pressuring a women to have sex and hitting or slapping sit at one end of the spectrum – with 94% of women globally agreeing that these are abuse or harassment. Meanwhile, whistling, shouting or commenting on a woman in a sexual way is considered abuse by 82% of women. The greatest level of variation between countries is in relation to examples of psychological abuse – such as whistling, shouting or commenting in a sexual way (considered abuse by 92% of women in Peru but only by 61% in Russia) or humiliating a women in front of others (considered abuse by 97% of women in Colombia but only by 72% in Turkey).
Country comparison The global picture For hitting or slapping
A significant majority of women consider all the behaviours explored to be forms of abuse or harassment, though Hitting and slapping is seen by almost all women as abuse or harassment. However, in Turkey, Poland, and Russia, numbers are lowest in relation to whistling, shouting or commenting on women in a sexual way. a significant proportion of women did not recognise such behaviour as a form of abuse.
Which of the following do you think are forms of abuse or harassment? Which of the following do you think are forms of abuse or harassment? Hitting or slapping
94% 98% 98% 97% 97% 96% 96% 96% 95% 95% 95% 94% 93% 88% 86% 82% 94% 94% 94% 92% 91% 91% 90% 90% 82%
a ing ress ring itting or miliating s aring stal ing i e ins lting n anted istling t reats a o t a oman to sla ing degrading a intimate n anted someone or to c ing s o ting tal ile er ra il iolence a e se oman in otos or ollo ing and deli eratel commenting Glo al e ico ssia oland r e c ador olom ia Argentina omania sical ront o ideos on dist r ance ma ing a on a oman ili ines intimidation ot ers social media t at ma e oman eel in a se al o t A rica it o t intimidating ad a o t a consent ersel
24 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 25 Results – 02: Gender relations in the public sphere
Country comparison Country comparison For humiliation/degradation For whistling, shouting or commenting in a sexual way
Humiliating or degrading a woman in front of others is seen as a form of abuse by the vast majority of women. There is a high degree of variation between different countries in terms of whether they think that whistling, However, the proportions of women agreeing that this is a form of abuse are lower than the global average in shouting at or commenting on a woman in a sexual way is a form of abuse or harassment. There is a regional Turkey, Poland, and Russia, and higher in Latin American countries. pattern here – a much higher proportion of women consider such behaviour to be a form of abuse than in many Latin American countries. Which of the following do you think are forms of abuse or harassment? Humiliating/degrading a woman in front of others Which of the following do you think are forms of abuse or harassment? Whistling, shouting or commenting on a woman in a sexual way
92% 97% 97% 97% 97% 96% 96% 96% 95% 93% 93%
90% 90% 89% 78% 77% 82% 92% 90% 90% 87% 87% 87% 87% 86% 84% 83% 80% 75% 74% 65% 61%
tal tal ile er ra il er ile ra il Glo al e ico oland r e ssia Glo al r e e ico oland ssia c ador c ador Argentina olom ia omania olom ia Argentina omania ili ines ili ines o t A rica o t A rica
26 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 27 Results – 02: Gender relations in the public sphere
Do women trust the legal and law enforcement system to protect them?
Levels of trust in legal and law enforcement systems vary. At a global level, there are differences in trust in relation to different types of abuse. While 73% of women globally trust that sexual abuse will be treated as a crime, when it comes to psychological and financial abuse, women are less confident that the legal system will treat such abuse as criminal. There is also variation in the extent to which women trust that claims will be taken seriously and victims protected. Significant numbers do not trust the legal system in their country to do this in relation to both sexual and physical crimes. Further variation exists between different countries, with a particularly high degree of trust in the legal system in the Philippines, and low levels of trust in Russia and Turkey. For example, only 49% of women in Turkey trust that physical abuse will be treated as a crime.
The global picture Country comparison
While a majority of women trust that the legal system in their country will treat abuse (of any form) as a crime, a For physical abuse significant proportion – almost a fifth – do not. And confidence that claims will be taken seriously or that measures Globally, the majority of women (71%) trust that the legal system in their country will treat physical abuse as a crime. will be taken to protect victims is lower still. However, there is considerable variation between countries, with just 49% of women in Turkey trusting that their law enforcement system will treat physical abuse as a crime. I trust the legal and law enforcement system in my country to… I trust the legal and law enforcement system in my country to… A A G A A A A A A A Treat physical abuse as a crime
27% 28% 19% 27% 27% 17% 27% 28% 19% 4% 10% 15% 15% 12% 12% 16% 11% 23% 18% 23% 28% 31% 30% 36%
58% 59% 71% 58% 60% 73% 59% 55% 71% 92% 85% 80% 79% 79% 76% 76% 75% 70% 69% 63% 60% 59% 58% 49%
a e a e a claim reat sical a e a e a claim reat se al reat reat meas res o sical a se as a meas res o se al a se as a s c ological inancial to rotect a a se crime to rotect a a se crime a se as a se as ictim o serio sl ictim o serio sl a crime a crime tal ile er ra il sical se al Glo al e ico oland ssia r e c ador olom ia omania Argentina a se a se ili ines o t A rica
Agree Disagree Agree Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree Prefer not to say Neither agree nor disagree Prefer not to say
28 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 29 Results – 02: Gender relations in the public sphere
Country comparison Country comparison For sexual abuse For psychological abuse
Confidence that the legal system will treat sexual abuse as a crime is slightly higher globally than for physical Women have less trust in the authorities to protect them against psychological abuse than they do for instances of abuse. 73% of women trust the legal and law enforcement system to do this. However, there is considerable physical and sexual abuse. There is also considerable variation across countries in women’s trust in authorities to variation between countries with 93% of women in the Philippines trusting the legal and law enforcement treat psychological abuse as a crime. For example, in Russia 27% of women trust that psychological abuse will be system to treat sexual abuse as a crime, compared to just 52% in Turkey. treated as a crime, compared to 87% in the Philippines. I trust the legal and law enforcement system in my country to… I trust the legal and law enforcement system in my country to… Treat sexual abuse as a crime Treat psychological abuse as a crime
5% 9% Agree 16% 19% 4% 10% 15% 15% 12% 12% 16% 11% 23% 18% 23% 27% 23% 24% 24% 22% 24% 19% 26% 30% 28% 31% 30% 36% 27% 42% 44% Neither agree nor 57% disagree Disagree
Prefer not 87% 80% 77% to say 71% 92% 85% 80% 79% 79% 76% 76% 75% 70% 69% 63% 59% 69% 68% 67% 61% 59% 60% 59% 58% 49% 58% 56% 52% 52% 44% 42% 27%
tal ile er ra il Glo al e ico oland r e ssia c ador olom ia omania Argentina tal ili ines ile er ra il o t A rica Glo al e ico oland ssia r e c ador olom ia omania Argentina ili ines o t A rica Country comparison Agree Disagree For financial abuse Neither agree nor disagree Prefer not to say Financial abuse is the form of abuse for which women have least faith in the legal system. It is also the type of abuse where we see most variation across countries, with women in Turkey, South Africa and Russia again having the least trust in the authorities. I trust the legal and law enforcement system in my country to… Treat financial abuse as a crime
Agree 10% 12% 18% 19% 23% 23% 28% 24% 25% 28% 28% 33% 40% 39% Neither agree nor 45% 47% disagree Disagree
Prefer not to say 76% 73% 71% 55% 66% 64% 60% 58% 55% 50% 49% 47% 46% 42% 38% 33%
tal ile er ra il Glo al e ico oland r e ssia c ador olom ia omania Argentina ili ines o t A rica
30 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 31 RESULTS: 03 Seeking support
In this section, we explore women’s willingness and ability to get help in the case of abuse, either to themselves or to someone close to them. We also explore which factors stop women from finding help to deal with abuse.
How willing are women to look for help and do they know where to go?
What are the barriers to seeking help?
32 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 33 Results – 03: Seeking support
Country comparison How willing are women to look for Do they know where to go? help and do they know where to go? 62% of women globally would know where to go or what to do if they or someone they know was a victim of abuse, leaving a significant minority who would not know where to go. This varies significantly by country while 80% of women Globally, 85% of women are likely to actively seek help if they or in Brazil and the Philippines know where to go, this falls to 40% of women in the UK and 32% of women in Russia. someone they know is a victim of abuse – though this does vary significantly geographically (94% of women in the Philippines are likely Would you know where to go or what to do to seek help if you or someone to seek help whereas only 65% of women in Peru are). you know (i.e. a friend or other family member) was a victim of abuse?
However only 62% of women globally say they would know where to go to seek help – and this falls to 40% in the UK and 32% in Russia. 17% 16% In terms of where they would turn, the polices is the group most commonly cited 16% 25% 23% 22% 24% 27% 28% 26% as a source of support, followed by family, health professionals and friends. 28% 35% 37% 38% 45% 42% 80% 80% 75% 62% Country comparison 70% 69% 69% 66% 66% 64% 63% 55% 54% 54% How willing are women to seek help? 40% 32% 85% of women globally are likely to seek help if they or someone they know was a victim of abuse. Women in the Philippines, Romania, Italy and South Africa are the most likely to seek help, and women in Peru the least likely. tal ra il er ile Glo al r e e ico oland ssia c ador Argentina olom ia omania If you or someone you know (i.e. a friend or other family member) was a ili ines o t A rica victim of abuse, how likely or unlikely would you be to actively seek help? Yes No The global picture Maybe Prefer not to say Significant sources of support
The police are most commonly cited as the source of support women would turn to, at 84%. This is followed by family at 58%. Health professionals come next, followed by friends. If you or someone you know (i.e. a friend or other family member) was a 94% 93% 92% 91% 89% 89% 89% 87% victim of abuse, which of the following would you turn to for help? 85% 86% 82% 81% 78% 77% 75% 65%
tal ra il ile er Glo al oland r e e ico ssia c ador omania Argentina olom ia ili ines o t A rica 84% Likely Unlikely 56% Neither likely nor unlikely Prefer not to say 39% 38% 22% 21% 11% 11% 1%
olice amil ealt riends G nde endent eligio s omm nit one o ro essionals arita le organisation leaders leaders t ese organisation comm nit
34 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 35 Results – 03: Seeking support
What are the barriers to seeking help?
Globally, 16% of women say there is something that would hold them back from seeking support. The most common barrier is fear of the abuse getting worse as a result, at 47%, closely followed by fear for any children involved.
Country comparison The global picture
16% of women globally say there is something holding them back from seeking support. Women in Among the 16% of women globally who say something would hold them back from seeking support, the most Russia are most likely to be held back at 35%, while women in Argentina, Italy, Peru and Poland are commonly cited factor is that it might make the abuse worse, at 47%. The least commonly cited factor is that “it is not the least likely at 12%. my business”.
Would anything hold you back from seeking help if you or someone you What factors would hold you back from seeking help if you or someone you know (i.e. a friend or family member) was a victim of abuse? know (i.e. a friend or other family member) was a victim of any form of abuse?*
21% 5% 6% 11% 8% 12% 21% 21% 13% 16% 20% 23% 23% 33% 47% 51%
47% 38%
32% 26% 19% 18% 16% 25% 21% 19% 18% 16% 15% 10% 6% 18% 16% 15% 14% 14% 13% 13% 12% 12% 12% 12% t mig t o ld ear mig t get o ld e ee ing el o ld not t o ld e o ld not t mig t not t is not m tal ma e t e or an in tro le em arrassed o ld not ant an one too no ere e serio s siness ra il ile er Glo al ssia r e e ico oland a se orse c ildren i mig t eat ma e a to get in emotional to go eno g c ador olom ia omania Argentina ili ines in ol ed a lt di erence serio s o t A rica tro le
* This question was only asked to those identifying obstacles to seeking help in instances of abuse in the previous question.
36 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 37 Results – 03: Seeking support
Country comparison Seeking help would I would not want anyone to not make a difference get in serious trouble The following graphs show the three countries where each barrier cited in the survey is most frequently identified.
Glo al 18% Glo al 18%
omania 29% ili ines 45%
o t A rica 25% r e 21%
e ico 24% omania 20%
It might make the I would fear for any It would be too I would not know abuse worse children involved emotional where to go
Glo al 47% Glo al 38% Glo al 16% Glo al 15%
73% ili ines 50% r e 37% er 26% ile 56% 48% ili ines 26% c ador 18%
o t A rica 55% o t A rica 45% ssia 24% ili ines 18%
I might get in trouble/I might I would be It might not be serious enough It is not my business be at fault embarrassed
Glo al 26% Glo al 19% Glo al 10% Glo al 6%
olom ia 37% omania 36% ili ines 16% o t A rica 12%
ssia 35% er 29% omania 14% ssia 11%
ili ines 34% r e 27% ssia 14% 10%
38 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 39
NB To ensure cross-country comprehension and comparability of data, we presented this question with an explanation of the types of behaviours would be included in each category. RESULTS: 04 They were as follows:
a. Physical abuse (kicking, punching, hitting with an object, Prevalence use of a weapon) b. Sexual abuse (non-consensual sexual intercourse, consensual of abuse sexual intercourse due to fear of the consequences of what would happen otherwise, being forced to do something sexual that is degrading or humiliating) This section explores women’s experience c. Psychological abuse (being threatened with harm or harm onto of abuse through either their own direct a relative/friend, being belittled or humiliated in front of others, restricting freedom) experience of abuse or that of someone close d. Financial abuse (having your personal finances taken away, to them. This is broken down into physical, being tricked into giving money, using credit cards without sexual, psychological, and financial abuse. permission, putting contractual obligations in their partner’s name, gambling with family assets)
Have you or someone you know experienced abuse?
40 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 41 Results – 04: Prevalence of abuse
Country comparison Prevalence of abuse For all abuse There is significant variation across countries in relation to stated levels of abuse. Though the majority of women have At a global level, the majority of women (56%) have some experience of experience of abuse in nine out of the 15 countries surveyed, levels vary from 73% in South Africa to 36% in Italy. abuse (either themselves or someone they know). The most common form of abuse experienced is psychological abuse, Any abuse (physical, sexual, psychological, financial) followed by physical abuse. There is significant geographical variation in relation to experiences of abuse – with the highest reported levels in South Africa (73%), followed by the Latin American countries (ranging from 70% in Ecuador to 60% in Brazil), and the lowest levels in Europe (the lowest reported level is in Italy, at 36%).
The global picture 56% 73% 70% 69% 67% 66% 64% 61% 60% 55% 48% 48% 47% 46% 43% 36% The majority of women have encountered abuse, either to themselves or someone they know. Psychological abuse is the most commonly experienced form of abuse, followed by physical abuse, and then sexual and financial abuse. tal er ile ra il Glo al e ico r e ssia oland c ador Argentina olom ia omania Have you or someone you know (i.e. a friend or other family member) been ili ines o t A rica a victim of any of the following? Have some experience of any abuse
Country comparison For psychological abuse
Psychological abuse is the most commonly experienced form of abuse globally, with particularly high levels in Latin America and South Africa. The number of women stating they have experienced this form of abuse is lower in Europe and the Philippines, though a significant minority of women in these countries have experienced psychological abuse. 56% 42% 35% 21% 21% 38% 5% Psychological abuse An
e al a se sical a se inancial a se re er not to sa one o t e a o e s c ological a se Yes
42% 54% 54% 52% 52% 52% 50% 45% 43% 40% 36% 36% 31% 31% 29% 25%
tal er ile ra il Glo al e ico r e oland ssia c ador Argentina olom ia omania ili ines o t A rica
Have some experience of psychological abuse
42 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 43 Results – 04: Prevalence of abuse
Country comparison Country comparison For physical abuse For financial abuse
Physical abuse is the second most commonly experienced form of abuse globally, with particularly high levels in 21% of women globally have experienced financial abuse. The number of women stating they have experienced this South America and South Africa. The number of women stating they have experienced this form of abuse is lower in form of abuse is highest in Argentina, at 31%, and lowest in Italy, at 9%. Europe, and lowest in Italy, where 16% of women state that they have experienced physical abuse. Physical abuse Financial abuse
35% 53% 53% 46% 45% 41% 38% 37% 35% 32% 30% 29% 28% 27% 24% 16% 21% 31% 30% 28% 26% 26% 24% 23% 22% 21% 21% 16% 14% 13% 13% 9%
tal tal er ile ra il er ile ra il Glo al e ico r e oland ssia Glo al e ico r e ssia oland c ador c ador olom ia Argentina omania Argentina olom ia omania ili ines ili ines o t A rica o t A rica
Have some experience of physical abuse Have some experience of financial abuse
Country comparison For sexual abuse
21% of women globally have experience of sexual abuse. The number of women stating they have experienced this form of abuse is highest in South Africa, at 35%, and lowest in Italy, at 8%. Sexual abuse
21% 35% 28% 27% 26% 26% 25% 22% 21% 21% 18% 18% 18% 14% 11% 8%
tal er ile ra il Glo al r e e ico ssia oland c ador olom ia Argentina omania ili ines o t A rica
Have some experience of sexual abuse
44 Avon Global Women’s Survey Violence Against Women and Girls 45 For further information, please contact Natalie Deacon, Executive Director Communications [email protected]
46 Avon Global Women’s Survey