With 522 votes in favor, 27 votes against and 72 abstentions, the parliament on Wednesday adopted the EU’s first ever rules against violence against women and domestic violence. The directive calls for tougher measures against online violence, better support for victims and efforts to prevent rape.
The new rules ban female genital mutilation and forced marriage and provide specific guidelines for crimes committed online, such as the publication of private information and cyberbullying.
The new legislation addresses more aggravating circumstances than before for crimes that can lead to harsher penalties, for example crimes against public figures, journalists or human rights defenders. The list of aggravating circumstances also includes the intent to punish victims because of their gender, sexual orientation, skin color, religion, social origin or political beliefs, and for honor-related reasons.
Care services for sexual and reproductive health
The victims’ safety and well-being must be prioritized, including through sheltered housing. Care services must be offered, not least when it comes to sexual and reproductive health. The authorities in the EU countries will have to report and collect evidence more often, and they must work to make us all understand that sex without consent is a crime.
Parliament’s persistent demands have meant that the EU Commission now has to assess every five years whether the rules should be revised.
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The work on the new rules has been led by Swedish Social Democrat Evin Incir from the Committee on Civil Liberties and Justice and Home Affairs. After the vote, she said: “This ground-breaking directive embodies our unwavering commitment to strengthening women’s rights and saving lives. When we march forward, let’s remember this moment as a first historic step to strengthen women’s rights and light the way to a future where every woman can live free from fear and oppression. This is a victory for justice and equality throughout the European Union.”
Co-Rapporteur of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, Frances Fitzgerald (EPP, Ireland), said: “Today the European Parliament has taken the first steps to make Europe the first continent in the world to end violence against women .This is comprehensive legislation that will prevent violence against women, protect victims, and thereby ensure a comprehensive approach to tackling these heinous crimes.There can be no equality without the eradication of violence against women to ensure that there is no impunity for those who commit such crimes.”
Next step
The new rules enter into force 20 days after the text has been published in the EU’s official journal. The EU countries have three years to introduce the provisions into their national legislation.
