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Over one in four women (or 27 per cent) experience intimate partner violence before the age of 50, according to a worldwide analysis led by researchers from 捆绑SM社区 and the World Health Organization. The largest of its kind, the analysis covers 366 studies involving more than 2 million women in 161 countries.

鈥淚ntimate partner violence against women 鈥� which includes physical and sexual violence by husbands, boyfriends, and other partners 鈥� is highly prevalent globally,鈥� says 捆绑SM社区 Professor Mathieu Maheu-Giroux, a Canada Research Chair in Population Health Modeling.

According to the findings published in , one in seven women (or 13 per cent) experienced intimate partner violence within the last year of the study period between 2000 and 2018. The analysis also found high levels of violence against young women, estimating that 24聽per cent of those between the ages of 15 to 19 experienced domestic violence in their lifetime.

While the numbers are alarming the true scale of violence is likely even higher, the researchers say, noting that the studies were based on self-reported experiences. Given the stigmatized nature of the issue, women can be hesitant to report their experiences, they explain.

Violence against women by male intimate partners. Credit: Lynnmarie Sardinha et al.

High-income countries reported lower rates of domestic violence

The researchers found regional variations, with high-income countries having lower prevalence of both lifetime and past year violence. The lifetime prevalence among women aged 15 to 49 was highest in Africa, South Asia, and parts of South America. The regions with the lowest estimated lifetime domestic violence against women were Central Asia and Central Europe.

The proportion of women who experienced intimate partner violence in the last year was around 5聽per cent for North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. In regions of Africa, this number was as high as 15聽per cent to 30 per cent.

Canada among countries with lowest rates of domestic violence

鈥淲hile Canada is among the top 30 countries with the lowest rates of intimate partner violence, it鈥檚 still a problem that affects 1 in 25 women,鈥� notes Professor Maheu-Giroux. 鈥淪ome provinces in Canada are looking at different ways to address domestic violence. In Quebec, for example, the government approved a pilot project in 2021 to create a special court for victims of domestic and sexual violence,鈥� he adds.

Map of prevalence estimates of past year intimate partner violence among women aged 15 to 49 years, in 2018. Credit: Lynnmarie Sardinha et al.

Calls to strengthen response in pandemic rebuilding efforts

鈥淥verall, our research shows that governments are not on track to meet global targets to eliminate violence against women and girls. An important takeaway is that even in some high-income countries the prevalence of intimate partner violence is relatively high, which calls for investment in prevention at local and global levels,鈥� says Maheu-Giroux.

鈥淚n Qu茅bec alone, we witnessed a wave of 17 intimate partner feminicides in 2021 鈥� the most extreme consequence of intimate partner violence and the highest number in more than a decade,鈥� he says.

Globally, the problem is likely to have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers explain. There鈥檚 an urgent need to strengthen the public health response to intimate partner violence, and ensure it鈥檚 addressed in post-COVID-19 rebuilding efforts, they conclude.

About 捆绑SM社区

Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, 捆绑SM社区 is Canada鈥檚 top ranked medical doctoral university. 捆绑SM社区 is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning three campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. 捆绑SM社区 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,000 international students making up 30聽per cent of the student body. Over half of 捆绑SM社区 students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20聽per cent of our students who say French is their mother tongue.