In 2025, the city of Antwerp recorded a deeply alarming level of violence against women, raising urgent concerns about safety, accountability and the effectiveness of current policies. Official figures from the Antwerp police reveal that 67 women were killed over the course of the year, including 60 cases of manslaughter and 7 murders. These numbers point to a persistent and deadly reality, while the absence of detailed contextual data makes it difficult to fully assess the scale of femicide or to design targeted prevention strategies.
Beyond lethal violence, hundreds of women reported serious crimes. A total of 260 women filed complaints of rape or attempted rape, yet in only a portion of these cases was a suspect identified. Additionally, 19 incidents of handbag snatching and 20 cases of necklace theft involving female victims were recorded. In many of these cases, no perpetrator could be linked to the crime, highlighting structural shortcomings in investigation and law enforcement.
Particularly concerning is the scale of physical violence. In 2025, 4.140 female victims of violent offenses—such as assault, manslaughter and murder—were registered. Although this represents a slight decrease compared to the previous year, the figure remains unacceptably high. Importantly, these statistics do not represent unique individuals, meaning some women were subjected to repeated violence or multiple forms of abuse simultaneously.
The data also raises serious questions about the recognition and tracking of femicide. Without a clear breakdown of the circumstances surrounding these killings—such as whether they occurred in a domestic or relational context—it remains impossible to accurately measure the extent of gender-based killings or to implement effective, evidence-based policies. Fatal violence against women, particularly within intimate or familial settings, continues to be a deeply troubling and insufficiently addressed issue.
A lack of transparency further compounds the problem. When it comes to the most extreme form of violence—lethal violence—complete and precise reporting is essential. Without comprehensive data, femicide risks remaining underreported and inadequately addressed, preventing the development of meaningful interventions and protections.
Taken together, these figures paint a stark picture: Women in Antwerp are facing significant and ongoing threats to their safety. The combination of high levels of violence, low suspect identification rates and limited transparency undermines public trust and highlights the urgent need for more effective prevention, protection and accountability measures. Ensuring the safety of women must become an absolute priority, supported by clear data, decisive action and sustained commitment.
