The first EU rules on combating violence against women and domestic violence enter into force. Violence against women and domestic violence affects an estimated one in three of the 228 million women in the EU. By criminalising certain forms of violence against women across the EU – including online – and strengthening victims’ access to justice, protection and support, the Directive aims to guarantee the fundamental rights of equal treatment and non-discrimination between women and men.
The new rules are crucial against gender-based violence and prohibit female genital mutilation, forced marriage and the most widespread forms of cyber-violence, such as non-consensual dissemination of intimate images (including ultra-fake images), cyberstalking and cyberbullying (also “cyberflashing”). Cyber-violence is an issue that needs to be urgently addressed, given the exponential spread and dramatic impact of online violence. New EU rules will help victims of cyber-violence in those Member States where such acts have not yet been criminalised.
Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, said: “For the first time, we are criminalising gender-based cyber-violence, such as the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images, including ultra-fake images, which are a nightmare for many women. This violence is often the reason why women drop out of public life. Online violence is real violence and violence against women is an ongoing problem”.
El Consejo adopta la primera ley de la Unión Europea contra la violencia de género |
Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli added: “This Directive provides a comprehensive response to a widespread issue. It addresses prevention of gender-based violence, protection and support for victims and adequate punishment for perpetrators. It is an important step towards the eradication of violence against women and domestic violence”.
Member States have until 14 June 2027 to transpose the Directive into national law.
More information: European Commission
Leave a Reply