Corruption Perceptions Index 2023

Existing patterns of discrimination can increase some people’s exposure to corruption and the harm they suffer as a result. 18 Gender inequality and power imbalances, for example, make women and girls more vulnerable to certain types of corruption, such as sextortion – the abuse of power for sexual benefits. 19 Marginalised groups are more likely to be preyed on by corrupt actors and find that the authorities are neither protecting them nor punishing the perpetrators. Corruption also gives political, economic or other special interest groups the means to influence or completely capture justice institutions, rendering them ineffective and using them to bend the law to protect their interests. In the most extreme cases, grand corruption and state capture can turn justice systems into tools of oppression. Corrupt elites may deploy their influence on the justice system to bolster their hold on power and deprive the people of their rights, freedom and ability to raise their voices against abuses. Some governments make use of justice systems to suppress opposition or other critical voices. These regimes often co- opt police forces, prosecutors and courts, and use them to silence, disadvantage and jail those who raise their voices against them. FIGURE 2: CORRUPTION AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE Under most corrupt justice systems, the powerful and wealthy can escape prosecution and conviction, while large segments of society are excluded from their rightful access to fair and effective judicial services. PEOPLE CAN ACCESS AND AFFORD CIVIL JUSTICE .9 .8 .7 .6 .5 .4 .3 .2 10 0 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 (0- worst to 1- best) CPI 2023 (0-highly corrupt to 100-very clean) CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2023 11 Embargoed until 07.01am CET (Berlin) 30 January 2024