This country profile presents the administrative data collected in Denmark during the 2023–2024 data collection exercise with the support of national data providers and national researchers.
The list of 13 indicators developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) for the purposes of this data collection exercise is presented in Annex 1.
The data collected in other countries and the methodological report are published in EIGE’s Gender Statistics Database.
Key findings of EIGE’s 2023–2024 data collection exercise
The figure below outlines the main findings from EIGE’s most recent administrative data collection exercise on intimate partner violence and domestic violence in Denmark.
FIGURE 1Main findings
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Victims of violence in any relationship
- Roughly half of victims of violence in any relationship recorded by police are women (54 % in 2022)
- Psychological violence is the most frequently recorded form of violence against women each year, compared to physical and sexual violence.
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Femicide
- 40 % of people killed by any perpetrator are women (23 out of 58 in 2022)
- Data is not available in Denmark on the number of victims killed specifically by intimate partners or domestic perpetrators.
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Rape
- 92 % of victims of rape committed by any perpetrator are women (according to data from 2022).
- In 2022, police recorded 2,499 women victims of rape committed by any perpetrator.
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Protecting victims of violence
- In 2022, 927 protection orders were filed for women victims of violence, and 431 were granted during the same year.
Number of women victims of violence
EIGE’s police indicators mainly collect data on victims of intimate partner violence, domestic violence and violence in ‘any relationship’. EIGE defines a victim as ‘a natural person who has suffered harm, including physical, mental or emotional harm or economic loss which was directly caused by a criminal offence’.
Victims of intimate partner violence and domestic violence
EIGE defines intimate partner violence as ‘any act of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that occurs between former or current spouses or partners, whether or not the perpetrator shares or has shared the same residence with the victim’.
Domestic violence is defined as ‘all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that occur within the family or domestic unit, irrespective of biological or legal family ties, or between former or current spouses or partners, whether or not the perpetrator shares or has shared the same residence as the victim’.
Intimate partner violence and domestic violence are not explicitly defined within the Danish Criminal Code. Instead, these forms of violence are prosecuted based on the general provisions of Chapters 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 of the Criminal Code.
In Denmark, police data is not available on victims, offences, or perpetrators of intimate partner violence or domestic violence. In the absence of this administrative data, survey data provide valuable insights on the prevalence of these forms of violence.
Results of the latest EU-GBV survey show that 45 % of ever-partnered women in Denmark have experienced physical (including threats), psychological, or sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Fewer women have experienced physical (including threats) or sexual violence by a domestic perpetrator during adulthood (14 %).
Victims of violence in any relationship
Police data is available on the annual number of victims of violence in ‘any relationship’. The category ‘any relationship’ encompasses intimate partner relationships, domestic relationships, and all other relationships (including those where no relationship exists and where the relationship is unknown).
In Denmark, women represent most victims of violence recorded by police (54 % in 2022). In 2022, police recorded 31,580 women victims of violence committed by an any perpetrator (out of 58,488 total victims).
Figure 2 Annual number of female and total victims of violence in any relationship (Indicator 1), 2014–2022
Victims of specific forms of violence in any relationship
National data providers in Denmark shared data on the annual number of victims of physical, psychological and sexual violence recorded by police (Indicators 4-6). However, the data is not disaggregated by the victim-perpetrator relationship (i.e., the figures refer to violence committed by any perpetrator).
Figure 3 Annual number of female and total victims of physical, psychological, and sexual violence in any relationship (Indicators 4-6), 2014–2022
EIGE’s data show that police record a greater number of women victims of physical violence than of sexual violence each year. However, data from the latest EU-GBV survey reveal that sexual violence may be more common amongst women.
During adulthood, 14 % of women in Denmark have experienced physical violence (including threats), compared to 33 % that have experienced sexual violence. This difference in the administrative and survey data may suggest that victims of sexual violence are less likely to report to police than victims of physical violence. It may also suggest that victims of physical violence may be more likely to experience repeat victimisation, requiring them to report to police mores frequently.
Femicide: Number of women killed
EIGE defines femicide as ‘killing of women and girls because of their gender’. It is the most severe manifestation of gender-based violence. EIGE’s femicide classification framework distinguishes between killings committed by intimate partners and family members and other forms of femicide, which are less common.
There is no legal definition of femicide in Denmark. National data providers shared data on victims of intentional and non-intentional homicide.
In 2022, 23 women victims of homicide were recorded by police in Denmark. Women represent 40 % of victims of homicide, based on data from 2022.
Figure 4 Annual number of female and total victims of any homicide (Indicator 9), 2014-2022
Women in Europe are more likely to be killed by those closest to them.2 However, because homicide data in Denmark are not disaggregated by the victim-perpetrator relationship, it is not possible to assess the extent to which women are killed by intimate partners or domestic perpetrators.
Rape: Number of women victims
EIGE defines rape as ‘sexual penetration, whether vaginal, anal or oral, through the use of object or body parts, without consent, using force, coercion or by taking advantage of the vulnerability of the victim’.
In Denmark, rape is criminalised under the Criminal Code (Chapter 24, Section 216). It defines rape as sexual intercourse with another person without consent.
In 2022, 2,499 women victims of rape committed by any perpetrator were recorded by police. Women represented almost all (92 %) of rape victims recorded during the year (2,499 out of 2,708).
Figure 5 Annual number of female and total victims of rape in any relationship (Indicator 8), 2014-2022
The data shows a gradual increase in the annual number of rape victims between 2014 and 2022. In 2016, the Minister of Justice introduced a new ‘rape package’. The plan includes measures to simplify the process for victims to report rape to authorities and to enhance the investigation and data collection efforts by authorities.
Furthermore, in 2021, Act no. 2208 of 29/12/2020, which amended the Criminal Code to includes a consent-based definition of rape, came into effect. These legal and policy changes have led to an increase in the reporting of rape by victims.
Details on victims of sexual violence, including victims of both sexual assault and rape, can be found in the section ‘Victims of specific forms of violence in any relationship’).
Protecting victims of violence
Protection orders in the context of violence against women are defined as ‘a legal injunction that requires an offender to refrain from doing certain acts and to stay away from the victim’. Protection orders can be adopted under criminal or civil laws. They are fast legal remedies to protect the persons at risk of any form of violence by prohibiting or restraining certain behaviour by the perpetrator.
Protection order applications
In 2022, 927 protection order applications were filed for women victims of violence. During the year, 73 % of protection order applications submitted were for women victims (927 out of 1,262).
Figure 6 Annual number of protection orders applications for female and total victims of violence in any relationship (Indicator 10), 2014-2022
Protection orders granted
In 2022, 431 protection orders were granted for women victims of violence. During the year, 77 % of protection orders granted to victims of violence were for women (431 out of 562).
Figure 7 Annual number of protection orders granted to female and total victims of violence in any relationship (Indicator 10), 2014-2022
Findings from EIGE’s data collection exercise, show a notable increase in the number of protection orders (applied and granted) for victims of violence between 2016 and 2017. In 2016, the Danish Government amended Act no. 112 of 03/02/2012 on restraining orders, residence bans and deportation. The amendments, which entered force in January 2017, enhanced protective measures for stalking victims, allowing police to issue provisional restraining orders against perpetrators.
Moreover, the rise in protection orders between 2018 and 2019 may be linked to the criminalisation of psychological violence in the Danish penal code under Act no. 30/03/2019.
Although protective measures are crucial for ensuring the safety of victims, the process of separating from abusers can be stressful and traumatic for those victimised. Findings from the latest EU-GBV survey reveal, while most women victims of violence in Denmark are aware of the existence of support services (72 %), only 31 % are aware of the existence of free legal aid.
Free legal aid is vital for victims as it removes financial barriers and empowers them to take action. Legal representatives often coordinate with other services and help secure long-term solutions like custody arrangements and financial independence, reducing the risk of revictimisation and aiding in the recovery process. Thus, it is crucial that victims have access to legal guidance during criminal proceedings.
Summary of data availability and next steps
Findings from EIGE’s 2023-2024 data collection exercise in Denmark underscore the persistent threat of domestic violence to the safety and well-being of women and girls.
The collection of robust administrative data on intimate partner violence and domestic violence is essential to ensure effective policymaking, resource allocation, and the development of targeted interventions to support victims and prevent further violence.
EIGE’s research shows that, in Denmark, data is available on women victims of violence committed by any perpetrator. However, data is not available on intimate partner violence and domestic violence. This makes it challenging to explore the extent to which women experience violence committed by those closest to them.
Similarly, data have been shared with EIGE on women victims of homicide and rape committed by any perpetrator. However, these figures are not disaggregated by the victim-perpetrator relationship.
Justice sector data is even more limited in Denmark. Data is available on protection orders (applied and granted) for women victims of violence in any relationship. However, data is not available on male perpetrators prosecuted, sentenced, or held in prison for violence against women.
In May 2024, the EU adopted Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on combating violence against women and domestic violence. Article 44 establishes that Member States must work with EIGE to collect administrative data on these forms of violence and must adhere to common standards. EIGE remains committed to supporting Member States in their efforts to collect comprehensive, reliable data on violence against women and domestic violence.
Further details on the data collected during EIGE’s 2023–2024 data collection exercise are available in EIGE’s Gender Statistics Database and on its website.
Annexes
Annex 1: List of EIGE’s 13 indicators on intimate partner violence and domestic violence