In the public and social networks, there is increasingly about the jump number of rape in Europe in the last 20 years. These discussions are usually accompanied by alarming statistics and bombastic theses. But as usual, the truth is a little more complicated than that.
Elon Musk: Why do they allow Europe to rape?
The richest man in the world Elon Musk, among other things, also known for the spread of populist theories of conspiracy, tried to score on this topic.
He shared the announcement of “Radio Europe”, an anonymous profile on XU, which primarily publishes anti-migrant content. It is published to see a huge difference in the displayed figures of reported rape between 2000. and 2023. years. The Musk in the announcement asked “Why allow Europe to rape”.
Figures (partially) accurate but context makes a huge difference
We evaluated the figures presented using various sources and reports, both official statistics and professional analysis. Note that data for 2000. in most cases framework because complete and reliable statistics from that period is not available.
The numbers that Musk divided are approximately accurate for England and Wales, France and Poland. For Germany, we have established enormous data deviations in 2023. year.
Regardless, there is no doubt that the total increase in the reported sexual assault, including rape, is drastic at the entire Europe. But that these figures would be understood, the context is required. This context includes changes in legislation, social awareness and internship practice.
The number of reported rapes has doubled since 2013.
At the level of the European Union, Eurostat data clearly shows the growth of reports of the criminal offenses of sexual violence. The number of reported rapes more than doubled since 2013, recorded an increase of 141%.
Photo: Eurostat
There are more and more applications in Croatia, especially in the last three years
As for Croatia, according to the data of the Interior Ministry, the total number of sexual violence applications is clear throughout 2013. – 2024, with a particularly pronounced increase in the last three years. A similar trend, although with minor absolute values, is also visible in rape application.
An interesting example of Sweden
Where did this increase at the level of the whole EU? The example of Sweden, countries with the largest reported number of rape in Europe, especially illustrates the importance of understanding the context.
PHOTO: Swedish National Crime Prevention Council
We see a small difference between the total number of reported cases of sexual violence and the number of reported rape in Sweden, as in Sweden under the criminal offense of Rape, the forms of sexual violence in other countries are under milder qualifications (eg “sexual assault” or “coercion”).
Is the problem in the inflow of migrants?
Swedish nationalists often claim that the rise in the Sweden is the result of “open border policy” and the arrival of a large number of migrants who, as they claim, “destroy the land.”
Research Journal of Swedish National Television 2018. Analyzed a total of 843 cases of District Courts from the previous five years and found that 58% of all rape and attempted rape had a foreign origin, writes BBC.
The BBC states that during the highest inflow of asylum seekers in 2015. The number of reported rape in Sweden even fell by 12%, which indicates the complexity of the connection of applications with migration.
Basic Reason: Sweden has expanded the definition of rape
The Swedish crime prevention panel points out that legal changes that have expanded the definition of rape and social awareness and greater the readiness of victims’ key factors in increasing the number of applications.
Sweden is between 2005. and 2018. several times changed the laws, spreading the rape definition and in particular 2018. introduced that any sexual act was considered rape without clear and active consent. In addition, each individual act of rape accounts in Sweden as a separate application, so if the woman reported rape every day two weeks, it is statistically recorded as 14 different cases.
Experts warn that in Sweden greater social awareness and willingness to report crimes, resulting in a larger number of applications in relation to countries where the stigma is higher.
High numbers and in the UK
Great Britain is also mentioned as a country with a growing number of rape application. According to the Police for England and Wales, by 2012. The number of applications was relatively stable, but it has been growing rapidly.
Photo: State Institute for Statistics UK
This increase, according to the allegations from the State Statistical Office, is the result of several factors, “including the impact of media exposed cases and changes in the police operational processes”.
Namely, the British are 2021. Established a unique program Operation Seteria What aims to change how cases of rape and other serious sex crimes are investigated and prosecuted.
As part of the program, new training of specialized police officers passed around 4500. This group helps ensure better victim support, and investigations are now aimed at the behavior of suspects, not victims.
Interestingly, the efficiency of campaigns that affect the readiness of people to report criminal offenses from the past.
“21% of all sexual crimes and 24% rape of adults in the year concluding in 2023. They have happened more than a year before they were recorded,” says in an explanation.
EU countries changed key laws
Great Britain and Sweden are not just allotted examples. In the report published on the SCIENCEDIRECTU 2024. year, “Consent-based Rape Laws” (Consent-based Rape Laws) ceived the majority of the EU and beyond, with numerous states introduce a mandatory element of the explicit consent to qualify the criminal offense of Rape.
This means that every sexual act without explicit, voluntary and free consent is considered a criminal offense. That principle “just to mean that” in force is in 14 European Union countries such as Sweden, Spain, Croatia, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, etc.
In Germany and Austria, the principle is “does not mean no”, which still requires that the victim proves a verbal rejection of sexual intercourse.
The European Commission has proposed a directive to introduce a single definition of rape based on the absence of consent, but the answer is still still absences.
Roksandić: There are numerous changes in Croatian legislation
In order to try to clarify the legal aspects of changes in the definitions and legislation related to sexual violence, we addressed the doc. dr. sc. Sunny Roksandić from the Faculty of Law in Zagreb.
She spoke about the issue through the context of Croatia, which also changed laws dealing with this issue, which certainly contributed to a number of applications.
“From the aspect of legislation, which I can speak from his experience as a member of some of the working groups, including criminal offenses against sexual freedom and criminal offenses, have been made with the purpose of protecting the individual’s freedom in the sexual sphere.
It is the protection of the trust and free choice of an individual in decision-making when he is engaged in a sexual intercourse or an equalized action, he / she / her in connection, marriage, partnership or not, “she explained.
In Croatia, the notion of rape has been expanded, this affects the number of applications
“The notion of rape to situations is legislature, regardless of any involuntary sexual intercourse, whether or compulsion. Therefore, the criminal offense of rape has become the criminal offense.
It notes that it is important in these last ten years to emphasize the occurrence of various forms of violence, and even sexual offenses, within the family, which adds, reflects social circumstances.
“In any case, legislative changes in criminal laws are absolutely to provide greater protection to individuals, more than a number of other laws in EU countries, which is also reflected in the proceeds of such works,” Roksandić explained.
(Type / Source: Index.hr/ Author: Vedran Salvia/ Photo: Shutterstock, Igor soban / pixsell)
