This country profile presents the administrative data collected in Hungary 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 Hungary.
FIGURE 1Main findings
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Victims of intimate partner violence and domestic violence
- In 2022, 86 % of victims of intimate partner violence were women (2,953 out of 3,422). In the same year, 67 % of domestic violence victims were women (4,350 out of 6,503).
- Physical violence is the most common form of intimate partner violence and domestic violence recorded by police on an annual basis.
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Femicide
- In 2022, women represented 77 % of victims killed by intimate partners (17 out of 22), and 70 % of victims killed by domestic perpetrators (35 out of 50).
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Rape
- In 2022, all victims of intimate partner rape were women (61 out of 61).
- In 2022, women also comprised 87 % of the victims of domestic rape (167 out of 193).
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Protecting victims of violence in any relationship
- In 2022, 109 protection orders were granted to victims of violence in any relationship.
- This is a significant increase from 2014, when only 4 protection orders were issued.
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Perpetrators reported and convicted for violence
- In 2022, 2,936 men were reported to police for intimate partner violence against women. In the same year, fewer were prosecuted for these crimes (2,218).
- Similarly, in 2022, 3,792 men were reported for domestic violence against women, and 2,719 men were prosecuted for these crimes.
Women are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence and domestic 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’.
Findings from EIGE’s latest data collection exercise show that intimate partner violence and domestic violence disproportionately affect women. Women in Hungary comprise 86 % of intimate partner violence victims and 67 % of domestic violence victims recorded by police (based on data from 2022).
At the same time, women represent less victims of violence in a broader context. In 2022, 41 % of victims of violence in any relationship recorded by police were women.
Figure 2 Proportion of female victims of intimate partner violence, domestic violence, and violence in any relationship (Indicator 1), 2022
Intimate partner 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’.
In Hungary, no legal definition of intimate partner violence exists. The data on intimate partner violence refers to violence between current and former spouses and partners (both cohabitating and non-cohabitating), long-term sexual partners, and sexual partners living on the other partner’s earnings.
Victims of intimate partner violence
In Hungary, women represent most victims of intimate partner violence recorded by police (86 % in 2022). In 2022, police recorded 2,953 women victims of violence committed by an intimate partner.
Figure 3 Annual number of female and total victims of intimate partner violence (Indicator 1), 2019-2022
Findings from Eurostat’s EU survey on gender-based violence (EU-GBV), show that 55 % of ever-partnered women in Hungary have experienced psychological, physical (including threats) or sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Victims of specific forms of intimate partner violence
During EIGE’s 2023-2024 data collection exercise, national data providers in Hungary shared data on the annual number of victims of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic intimate partner violence recorded by police (Indicators 4-7).
EIGE requested data on victims of physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence based on the UNODC International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS) framework. However, the data provided is not produced according to ICCS categories, but to the ad-hoc violence classification defined by state agencies responsible for crime and criminal justice data collection in Hungary.
Figure 4 Annual number of female and total victims of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic intimate partner violence (Indicators 4-7), 2019-2022
EIGE’s findings show, police in Hungary record more women victims of physical intimate partner violence than of psychological intimate partner violence each year.
However, results from the EU-GBV survey reveal, while 28 % of ever-partnered women in Hungary have experienced physical intimate partner violence (including threats) during their lifetime, 52 % have experienced psychological intimate partner violence. This discrepancy in administrative and survey data suggests that victims of psychological violence are less likely to report their experiences to the police than victims of physical violence. This could also suggest that individuals who suffer from psychological abuse might not fully realise that they are experiencing a form of violence that can be reported to the authorities.
Domestic violence
EIGE defines domestic violence 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’.
In Hungary, Section 212/A of the Criminal Code criminalises domestic violence. It outlines penalties for any person who, on a regular basis, seriously violates human dignity or is engaged in any degrading and violent conduct; misappropriates or conceals any assets from common property, and thus causing serious deprivation; and commits battery against the parent of his/her child, or against a family member, former spouse or domestic partner living in the same household or dwelling at the time of commission or previously, against his/her conservator, person under conservatorship, guardian or person under guardianship.
Victims of domestic violence
According to the latest data, women represent most domestic violence victims in Hungary (67 %). In 2022, 4,350 women victims of domestic violence were recorded by police.
Figure 5 Annual number of female and total victims of domestic violence (Indicator 1), 2019-2022
Between 2019 and 2022, the annual number of domestic violence victims recorded by police has increased. It should be noted however that fluctuations between years can be attributed to various social and institutional factors and do not necessarily imply that violence has worsened in the country over time.
The police data recorded in Hungary sheds light on the extent to which women suffer from domestic violence. In addition, the findings of the EU-GBV survey show that 44 % of women have experienced physical violence (including threats) or sexual violence by a domestic perpetrator during adulthood.
Victims of specific forms of domestic violence
As part of EIGE’s 2023-2024 data collection exercise, national data providers in Hungary shared data on the annual number of victims of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic domestic violence recorded by police (Indicators 4-7).
EIGE requested data on victims of physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence based on the UNODC International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS) framework. However, the data provided is not produced according to ICCS categories, but to the ad-hoc violence classification defined by state agencies responsible for crime and criminal justice data collection in Hungary.
Figure 6 Annual number of female and total victims of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic domestic violence (Indicators 4-7), 2019-2022
Femicide: Number of women killed in recent years
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 Hungary. However, data is available on women victims of intimate partner homicide, domestic homicide, and any homicide.
Women are disproportionately affected by intimate partner homicide and domestic homicide
Women represent most victims of homicide committed by intimate partners (77 %) and domestic perpetrators (70 %), based on data from 2022. Women are more equally represented among victims of homicide by any perpetrator (46 %).
Figure 7 Proportion of female victims of intimate partner homicide, domestic homicide, and homicide in any relationship (Indicator 9), 2022
Number of women victims of homicide
In 2022, 49 women victims of homicide were recorded by police. In the same year, police recorded 35 women victims of domestic homicide and 17 women victims of intimate partner homicide.
Figure 8 Annual number of female victims of intimate partner homicide, domestic homicide, and homicide in any relationship (Indicator 9), 2019-2022
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 Hungary, rape falls under Section 197 of the Criminal Code on sexual violence, which is defined as ‘any act committed by force or threat against the life or bodily integrity of the victim; or by exploiting a person who is incapable of self-defence or unable to express their will for the purpose of sexual acts’.
Women are the main victims that suffer from rape
In 2022, 61 women victims of intimate partner rape were recorded by police. Women represented all (100 %) victims of intimate partner rape during the year. The data also shows that women comprised 87 % of victims of domestic rape (167 out of 193) and 79 % of victims of rape by any perpetrator (435 out of 553) recorded by police during the year.
Figure 9 Proportion of female victims of intimate partner rape, domestic rape, and rape in any relationship (Indicator 8), 2022
In 2022, the police recorded even higher numbers of victims of sexual violence committed by intimate partners (see the section ‘Victims of specific forms of intimate partner violence’) and domestic perpetrators (see the section ‘Victims of specific forms of domestic violence’). This is because sexual violence encompasses a wider range of offences, including rape and sexual assault.
Number of women victims of rape
Over the years, the annual number of women victims of rape recorded by police has increased. It should be noted however that fluctuations between years can be attributed to various social and institutional factors and do not necessarily imply that rape has worsened in the country over time.
Figure 10 Annual number of female victims of intimate partner rape, domestic rape, and rape in any relationship (Indicator 8), 2019-2022
Protecting victims of violence
A protection order, in the context of violence against women, is 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 people at risk of any form of violence by prohibiting or restraining certain behaviour by the perpetrators.
Justice sector data shows that 109 protection orders were granted to total victims of violence by any perpetrator in 2022.
The annual number of protection orders granted to victims of violence increased notably between the years 2014 and 2022 (from 4 to 109). This rise may be due, in part, to judicial reforms, as well as an increase in awareness about legal protections among victims, and improved access to services helping victims obtain these protection orders.
Figure 11 Annual number of protection orders granted to total victims of violence in any relationship (Indicator 10), 2014-2022
Perpetrators of intimate partner and domestic violence
Perpetrators are defined as ‘persons brought into formal contact with the police and suspected/arrested or cautioned for a criminal offence’.
Most of EIGE’s indicators collect data on all perpetrators (including male and female perpetrators). However, the data for indicators 3 and 11–13 (on perpetrators reported, prosecuted, sentenced and held in prison) refers strictly to male perpetrators.
Perpetrators of intimate partner violence
In 2022, 2,936 men were reported to police for intimate partner violence against women. During the year, 99 % of men reported for intimate partner violence committed crimes against women (2,936 out of 2,978).
Figure 12 Annual number of male perpetrators reported for intimate partner violence against female and total victims (Indicator 3), 2019-2022
In 2022, 2,218 men were prosecuted for intimate partner violence against women. Of the men prosecuted for intimate partner violence that year, 99 % committed crimes against women (2,218 out of 2,248).
Figure 13 Annual number of male perpetrators prosecuted for intimate partner violence against female and total victims (Indicator 11), 2019-2022
Perpetrators of domestic violence
In 2022, 3,792 men were reported for domestic violence against women. During the year, roughly 73 % of men reported for domestic violence committed crimes against women (3,792 out of 5,214).
Figure 14 Annual number of male perpetrators reported for domestic violence against female and total victims (Indicator 3), 2019-2022
In 2022, 2,719 men were prosecuted for domestic violence against women. Of the men prosecuted for domestic violence that year, 75 % committed crimes against women (2,719 out of 3,634).
Figure 15 Annual number of male perpetrators prosecuted for domestic violence against female and total victims (Indicator 11), 2019-2022
Summary of data availability and next steps
Findings from EIGE’s 2023-2024 data collection exercise in Hungary underscore the persistent threat of intimate partner violence and 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 Hungary, police data is available on victims and perpetrators of intimate partner violence and domestic violence. EIGE also managed to retrieve data on victims of specific forms of violence, including physical, psychological, sexual, and economic violence. However, data is only available from 2019 onwards due to changes in data collection systems.
Data is available on the annual number of female and total victims of homicide and rape committed by intimate partners, domestic perpetrators, and any perpetrator.
Justice sector data is more limited in Hungary. Data is available on protection orders granted to total victims of violence. However, no data has been shared on protection orders for victims of intimate partner violence or domestic violence.
Data has been shared on male perpetrators reported and prosecuted for intimate partner violence and domestic violence against women. However, data is not available on perpetrators sentenced or held in prison for these crimes. This makes it challenging to explore the extent to which men are brought to justice 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