The Report: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls – Experiences and attitudes of 16 year olds in Northern Ireland in 2023
The ‘Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Experiences and attitudes of 16 year olds in Northern Ireland in 2023’ report was published by The Executive Office today.
It tells a harrowing tale of gender abuse growing particularly towards young females who in their teenage years facing a range of challenging attitudes and behaviours.
The presents statistics relate to young people’s personal experiences of gender-based violence, who they would report gender-based violence to if they were a victim, barriers to reporting, attitudes about gender-based violence in Northern Ireland, and likelihood of intervening if they saw gender-based violence.
Some of the key findings include:
• In the last year, a third of 16 year olds experienced online violence (32%), 26% experienced psychological violence, 19% experienced physical violence and 16% experienced sexual violence.
• Female respondents experienced significantly higher levels of online violence, sexual violence and psychological violence in the last year; males experienced significantly higher levels of physical violence.
• 16 year olds with disabilities experienced disproportionately more violent acts and behaviours in the last year than those who do not have disabilities.
• 16 year olds who identify with a sexual orientation other than heterosexual experienced disproportionately more violent acts and behaviours in the last year than those who identify as heterosexual.
• 16 year olds are most likely to report a violent act or behaviour to a family member (61%).
• Seven in ten 16 year olds felt that young people may be concerned that reporting violent acts or behaviours might make the situation worse (69%).
• 51% of young people agreed that violence against women and girls is common in Northern Ireland and 34% of young people agreed that violence against men and boys is also common in Northern Ireland.
• When compared with two years ago, 24% of respondents think that women are more likely now to become victims of gender-based violence; 16% think it is less likely.
• Three quarters of respondents said that it was likely that they would intervene if they saw someone being touched, hugged or kissed against their wishes (76%).
• Seven in ten female respondents reported that they would likely intervene if their peers were making a sexist joke (69%), significantly more than male respondents (30%).
• The report is available on the Statistics and Research Branch website at:
