More than every second woman in Germany reports that she does not always feel respected when interacting with men. A recent Forsa survey commissioned by RTL and ntv found that 55 % of respondents say they are treated respectfully only “mostly”; an additional 10 % say they are treated respectfully only “rarely”. Only 34 % of women claim to be treated with respect “almost always”.
In contrast, women in steady relationships report a more positive experience. Ninety‑nine % say they are respected by their partner, with 78 % indicating they feel respected “almost always” and 19 % “mostly”; only 2 % say they experience respectful behavior rarely.
The survey also highlights a stark discrepancy between male and female perceptions of respectful treatment. While 77 % of men believe women feel respected “almost always” and 18 % say “mostly”, just 1 % of men think women feel respected only “rarely”.
On a broader social level, many Germans believe that the interactions between men and women have worsened over the last decade. Thirty‑eight % of respondents think men behave less respectfully toward women now than ten years ago. Only 23 % see an improvement and 35 % see no significant change. Women are more likely than men to perceive a decline: 48 % of women think men have become less respectful, whereas only 27 % of men share that view. Conversely, 32 % of men believe the situation has improved, while 39 % see no change.
Regarding legal measures against digital sexualized violence, an overwhelming majority support stricter penalties. Eighty‑eight % of respondents say that producing and distributing fake pornographic footage should be consistently punishable. Only six % oppose such measures. Women are especially supportive (93 %), but an 84 % majority of men also back the proposal. Across all age groups, support ranges between 85 % and 92 %.