A new survey has revealed that nearly half of all men in Catalonia believe some women file false reports of gender-based violence to secure financial gain or to harm their partners, a perception that stands in dramatic contrast to official court statistics.
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The findings, published by Catalonia’s official polling body, the Centre d’Estudis d’Opinió (CEO), indicate that 44.3% of Catalan men agree with the statement that some women make false allegations for personal advantage. The data comes from the CEO’s 2025 longitudinal Citizen Panel survey, conducted between October and December with a sample of 6,706 residents over the age of 16.
These statistics, first reported by 20 Minutos, arrive just ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March. This significant day is marked by large-scale demonstrations for gender equality across Barcelona, typically starting from locations like Jardinets de Gràcia and culminating at Passeig de Lluís Companys.
Perception vs. Reality
The widespread belief in false accusations is sharply contradicted by official figures. Data published by the Spanish Prosecutor’s Office shows that between 2009 and 2024, convictions for false reporting in gender violence cases accounted for a minuscule 0.018% of all complaints filed. Organisations like fact-checking group Verificat have repeatedly highlighted this discrepancy, noting that the narrative of false accusations is often used to question the credibility of legitimate victims.
The CEO survey also found that this viewpoint is particularly prevalent among younger men. Those under the age of 24 were the most likely to agree that women file false reports. This aligns with other recent studies highlighting growing scepticism towards feminist principles among some young men in the region. Barna.News has explored this trend in the context of a broader right-wing shift among Catalan youth on social issues.
Wider Attitudes on Feminism and Sexism
The survey delved into other areas concerning gender attitudes, revealing a significant divide. Nearly four in ten men (38%) believe that criticism of sexist jokes is “exaggerated,” a figure that has remained stable from the previous year’s survey. In contrast, 42.3% of women feel the criticism is justified and such jokes are no longer appropriate in modern society.
However, the views are not entirely split along gender lines. A notable 28% of women surveyed sided with the majority of men, agreeing that the backlash against sexist humour is overblown.
Furthermore, the survey gauged opinions on the progress of feminism itself. A significant 39% of male respondents asserted that feminism has gone “too far.” Conversely, only 12.9% of men “strongly disagreed” with this statement. Among women, the opposition was much stronger, with 23.9% strongly disagreeing, a figure that rose to 25.4% for women under the age of 34.
These findings from the polling arm of the Generalitat de Catalunya offer a complex snapshot of societal attitudes. They suggest that while feminist movements gain public visibility, a substantial counter-narrative persists, questioning feminist principles and women’s testimony, particularly among the male population.
