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

Written by Rosamund Shreeves (1st edition).

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. On 12 January 2023, Parliament’s joint rapporteurs from the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) presented their draft report to a joint meeting of the two committees. On 28 February 2023, a further joint committee meeting took note of 1 481 amendments tabled on the draft report.

Versions

• March 2023: Combating violence against women and domestic violence (1st edition)