Rome, Nov. 21 (LaPresse) – "Approximately 6.4 million (31.9%) Italian women between the ages of 16 and 75 have suffered at least one instance of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime (from the age of 16). 18.8% have suffered physical violence and 23.4% sexual violence; among the latter, 5.7% of women have suffered rape or attempted rape." This is according to ‘Sicurezza donne’ (Women's Safety), an Istat survey on violence against women. ‘The violence suffered,’ explains Istat, 'varies in severity: physical violence ranges from threats to attempts at strangulation or suffocation, while sexual violence ranges from unwanted physical contact (19.2%) to rape or attempted rape (5.7%). Women suffer violence both within the couple (12.6% of women who have or have had partners) and outside the couple (26.5% of women) from other men, relatives, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, or strangers."