ROME – A Criminalpol analysis conducted on Women’s Day showed a decline in femicides since 2018, but an increase in so-called ‘spy crimes’ including stalking, mistreatment and sexual violence, as reported by the Ansa news agency.

 There were 119 female homicides in 2021 and although this number is 16 percent lower than 2018, when there were 141 women murdered, it is regrettably a higher rate than the last two years. In 2020 there were 117 female homicides and 2019 there were 109.

 Compared to 2018, last year's data showed an increase in the crimes of stalking (up 18 percent), mistreatment of family members and cohabitants (up 30 percent) and sexual violence (up 2 percent).

 In response to the number of cases of violence, Criminalpol said it is vital “to give maximum attention to gender-based violence.”

 The action against violence should focus not only on prevention and fighting of the crimes, but also on supporting victims. Criminalpol also called for an information campaign aimed at removing socio-cultural barriers that perpetuate victims’ suffering.

 The analysis about violence against women was carried out by the Criminal Analysis Service of the Central Directorate of the Criminal Police.

Ak-ln