No decrease in femicide in Netherlands in 15 years

The number of women killed in the Netherlands by a partner or ex-partner has remained unchanged over the past 15 years, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported. Murder or manslaughter by a partner or ex is most common among divorced women.

Since 2010, an average of 2.7 women in every million were murdered by their partner or ex-partner each year. The victims were most often between the ages of 20 and 40. The most recent (provisional) figures are from 2024.

Over the past five years, an average of 43 women were victims of murder or manslaughter each year. That’s one every eight days.

The Netherlands has too few shelters for women fleeing violent partners. The Dutch authorities still often consider domestic violence a conflict, the Council of Europe’s supervisory body, GREVIO, recently concluded.

Custody cases are often referred to mediation, but this approach doesn’t sufficiently address the inequality between a person seeking to dominate and manipulate and the other. According to the oversight body, the Netherlands is failing to comply with its obligations under the Istanbul Convention.

The number of women killed by someone other than a partner or ex-partner has decreased, as has the number of women killed by perpetrators who remain unidentified.