Psychological violence emerges as the most prevalent form of gender-based violence
Date published:
New official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Executive Office present experiences and attitudes of adults in Northern Ireland towards ending violence against women and girls in 2024.
Respondents were provided with the following definition of gender-based violence: “Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender, or violence that affects people of a particular gender disproportionately. It does not only relate to physical assaults but also includes words and actions that can cause someone to feel afraid, anxious or humiliated.”
Respondents were then asked: “Based on this definition, and regardless of your gender, have you personally experienced any of the following in the last five years?”
Key findings
- Psychological violence was the most prevalent form of gender-based violence with 15% of respondents experiencing it in the last five years.
- Significantly more female respondents experienced psychological and sexual violence than male respondents.
- Of respondents who had experienced psychological violence, nearly half reported experiencing psychological violence at home (49%) with 33% experiencing it in a public outdoor space and 32% at work.
- Significantly more female than male respondents thought it would be quite or very difficult to access help and support (males 28%; females 36%).
- Most respondents reported feeling safe online (85%) while nearly all respondents reported feeling safe at home (99%).
- Significantly more male respondents (68%) felt safe after dark in a park or open space compared with female respondents (27%).
- Significantly more male than female respondents felt always safe both during the day and after dark.
About this publication
This report contains findings from the 2024 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey of adults' experiences on, and attitudes to, violence against women and girls.
Experiences of gender based violence are outlined, alongside attitudes to personal safety. Results are presented by various demographic characteristics and comparisons with the previous year are included where possible.
Further information
Read the full report: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Experiences and attitudes of adults in Northern Ireland in 2024
View data tables and background information: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Experiences and attitudes of adults in Northern Ireland in 2024