This country profile presents the administrative data collected in Italy 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 Italy.

FIGURE 1Main findings

  • Victims of violence

    • Data is not available on intimate partner violence or domestic violence. During the latest data collection exercise, EIGE retrieved data on violence committed in any relationship.
    • Women represent 91 % of victims of sexual violence recorded by police in 2022 (4,986 out of 5,480).
    • Women are more evenly represented amongst victims of physical violence (48 %) and psychological violence (48 %), based on 2022 data.

  • Femicide

    • Women represent most victims of intentional homicide committed by intimate partners (91 %) and domestic perpetrators (74 %), based on police data from 2022. 

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 which was directly caused by a criminal offence’.

Victims of intimate partner violence and domestic violence 

Intimate partner violence is not explicitly defined within the Italian Criminal Code or by other laws that aim to combat violence against women. Rather, it is conceptualised as a form of domestic violence, defined as acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence (serious, non-episodic, or committed in the presence of a minor) that occur within the family, the household or between current or former spouses or partners, regardless of whether the victim and the perpetrator share or have shared a residence.

In Italy, data is not available on the number of victims of intimate partner violence or domestic violence recorded by police each year. In the absence of this administrative data, survey data provides valuable insights on the prevalence of these forms of violence.

Survey results show that 26 % of ever-partnered women in Italy have experienced psychological, physical (including threats) or sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime (based on 2014 data). Fewer women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a domestic perpetrator during adulthood (14 % as of 2014).

Victims of violence in any relationship

Police data is available on the annual number of victims of specific forms 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). However, the Law 53/2022, on measuring violence obliges Ministries of Interior and Ministry of Justice to collect data on victim-perpetrator relationships.

Figure 2 Annual number of female and total victims of physical, psychological, and sexual violence in any relationship recorded by police (Indicators 4-6), 2014-2022

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EIGE’s data shows that police record a greater number of women victims of physical violence than of sexual violence each year.

However, survey data reveals that sexual violence may be more common amongst women (based on data from 2014). During adulthood, 13 % of women in Italy have experienced physical violence (including threats) by any perpetrator compared to 19 % that have experienced sexual violence by any perpetrator.

Femicide: Number of women killed in recent years

EIGE defines femicide as ‘the killing of a woman or girl because of her 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 the Italian Criminal Code. However, national level police data is available on female and total victims of intimate partner homicide, domestic homicide, and homicide in ‘any relationship’.

Several women are killed by those closest to them

In 2022, 125 women victims of homicide were recorded by police overall. In the same year, police recorded 103 women victims of domestic homicide, and 61 women victims of intimate partner homicide.

Figure 3 Annual number of female victims of intimate partner homicide, domestic homicide, and homicide in any relationship recorded by police (Indicator 9), 2014–2022

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Women are disproportionately affected by intimate partner homicide and domestic homicide

In 2022, women represented 91 % of victims of intimate partner homicide (61 out of 67), and 74 % of victims of domestic homicide (103 out of 140).In the same year, women represented a smaller share (39 %) of victims of homicide committed by any perpetrator (125 out of 319).

Figure 4 Proportion of female victims of intimate partner homicide, domestic homicide, and homicide in any relationship recorded by police (Indicator 9), 2022

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In December 2023, Italy adopted Law No. 168 of November 24, 2023, on Provisions for Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence. The law enhances the authority of police to implement protective measures in cases of domestic violence. This includes measures to prohibit perpetrators from visiting places frequented by victims. The law also increases penalties for those who violate protection orders in cases of domestic violence.

Summary of data availability and next steps

Findings from EIGE’s 2023-2024 data collection exercise in Italy underscore the persistent threat of 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 Italy, police data is not available on victims, offences and perpetrators of intimate partner violence and domestic violence. However, data was retrieved on victims of specific forms of violence committed by any perpetrator, including physical, psychological, and sexual violence.

Although a legal definition of femicide does not exist in Italy, data is available on victims of intentional homicide committed by intimate partners, domestic perpetrators, and any perpetrator. However, EIGE has not managed to retrieve data regarding victims of rape.

Data relating to perpetrators is even more limited in Italy. No data has been shared on perpetrators reported for intimate partner violence and domestic violence, or those prosecuted, sentenced, or held in prison for their 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 the 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 shall work with EIGE to collect data administrative data on these forms of violence and will adhere to common standards. EIGE remains committed to supporting EU 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 published on EIGE’s Gender Statistics Database and website.

Annexes

Annex 1: List of EIGE’s 13 indicators on intimate partner violence and domestic violence