European Parliament Sets Landmark EU-Wide Rules to Combat Domestic Abuse
In a significant stride towards safeguarding women’s rights, The European Parliament has adopted groundbreaking legislation aimed at combating domestic abuse and violence against women across the European Union. With an overwhelming majority, the vote saw 522 members in favor, signaling a robust consensus on the urgency of addressing these pervasive issues.
The legislation prohibits female genital mutilation and forced marriage, marking a historic move in the fight against practices that have long scarred the lives of countless women and girls. Additionally, the legislation brings modernity to the fore by setting guidelines for online offences, which include the non-consensual sharing of private information and cyberflashing, reflecting the evolving nature of abuse in the digital age.
EU member states are now tasked with enhancing their procedures for reporting and collecting evidence of such crimes. A key aspect of the new rules is the emphasis on public awareness, particularly regarding the criminality of non-consensual sex, which remains a widespread yet often unreported issue.
Statistics from the European Commission underscore the critical need for this legislation, revealing that one in three women within the EU has been subjected to violence. The harrowing figure of 600,000 women who have experienced female genital mutilation in Europe further highlights the urgency of a unified legal approach.
Frances Fitzgerald, co-rapporteur for the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee, expressed the significance of the legislation: “Today, Parliament has taken the first steps to make Europe the first continent in the world to end violence against women. This is a wide-ranging piece of legislation that will prevent violence against women, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators, thereby ensuring a holistic approach to tackling these heinous crimes.”
The new rules will be enacted 20 days following their publication in the EU Official Journal, with member states given a three-year window to implement the directives. This legislative milestone represents a collective commitment to eradicating violence against women and ensuring that such acts do not go unpunished within the EU’s borders.
