[What do we know about the extent of violence against women in Denmark?]

At present, figures about the prevalence of violence against women in Denmark are based upon regional studies from emergency departments and national surveys that included a few questions about violence. In 1995/96, 0.2% of women aged 16-74 reported to have been exposed to domestic violence during the last 12 months, the highest rate was among single mothers, 3.4%. In 1991, 3% of women above the age of 15 reported to have ever been victims of rape, 7% among 15-24 year-olds. In the period 1978-1994, between 1.4 and 4.5 permille of all emergency contacts were female victims of violence. The incidence was 1.6-3.5 per 1000 women, highest in the Copenhagen area and in the western part of Denmark. In other Nordic countries, national surveys have focused upon gender-based violence, and report a higher prevalence of violence than in the less focused Danish studies. Furthermore, these studies contain information about the health sequels of violence. There is an urgent need for similar data including risk factors of violence in Denmark in order to prevent violence and the health consequences of violence against women.