Combating violence against women and domestic violence [EU Legislation in Progress]

Written by Ionel Zamfir (3rd edition, updated on 30.05.2024).

Violence directed against a woman because she is a woman, or that affects women disproportionately (‘gender-based violence against women’) is a violation of fundamental rights, and a major obstacle to gender equality in all EU Member States. Despite increased attention, national legislation does not offer equal protection for women against all forms of gender-based violence across the EU, and there are significant gaps in the measures adopted at EU level.

On 8 March 2022, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal on combating violence against women and domestic violence, to enshrine minimum standards in EU law for criminalising certain forms of gender-based violence, improve access to justice, protection and support for victims, ensure coordination between relevant services, and prevent these types of crime. In July 2023, based on a joint report drafted by its Committees for Gender Equality (FEMM) and Civil Liberties (LIBE), the Parliament decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations.

After difficult discussions, a compromise was reached that removed rape from the scope of the directive, owing to the Council’s concerns over the absence of an EU legal basis. The final text was adopted by a large majority in Parliament during its April II 2024 plenary session and by the Council on 7 May 2024. Member States have three years to transpose it.

Complete version:

• May 2024: Combating violence against women and domestic violence (3rd edition)