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Reports of rape and sexual violence continued to rise across the European Union in 2024, according to new Eurostat figures, as European lawmakers push for a clearer consent-based definition of rape across the bloc.
Police recorded more than 256,000 sexual violence offenses across the EU last year, with rape cases making up nearly 38% of them. Compared to 2023, reported sexual violence cases rose by 5%, while rape reports increased by 7%.
The highest numbers of reported cases were recorded in France, Germany, and Sweden.
At the opposite end, Cyprus recorded the lowest increase in reported sexual violence cases among all EU countries, according to the data. Still, the figures show that reports in Cyprus are continuing to rise, reflecting a trend seen across much of Europe.
Experts caution that higher numbers do not automatically mean more crimes are taking place. In many cases, the increase may also point to greater awareness, stronger reporting systems, and more victims feeling able to come forward.
The figures were released shortly after the European Parliament backed a proposal supporting a common EU-wide definition of rape based on consent, often summarized as “only yes means yes.”
Under the proposal, consent would need to be judged within the wider context of a situation, including cases involving intimidation, abuse of power, violence, or vulnerability.
Lawmakers are also pushing for stronger support systems and protections for victims across Europe.
The debate comes as the EU has seen a dramatic rise in reported sexual violence over the past decade. Since 2014, sexual violence offenses have increased by 94% across the bloc, while rape reports have surged by 150%, according to Eurostat data.
Several European countries have already updated their laws. Since 2023, France, Finland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands have introduced consent-based rape legislation.
The issue gained renewed attention in France following the high-profile Gisèle Pelicot rape case, which shocked the country and led to changes in French law last year. The case involved dozens of men convicted of sexually assaulting Pelicot while she was unconscious after allegedly being drugged by her husband over many years.
Meanwhile, political debate continues in other countries, including Latvia, where lawmakers are reconsidering participation in the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at combating violence against women and domestic abuse.
While Cyprus remains among the countries with the lowest figures overall, the upward trend shows the issue is far from absent on the island, mirroring a wider European struggle over prevention, reporting, and protection for victims.
*Source: Euronews
