Doc. 8238
12 October 1998

Violence on women in Europe

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mrs Jäätteenmäki and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

      The Assembly,

      Considering the great number of women, young and old, who are faced with sexual, physical and mental abuse and violence in Europe today, both within and outside families;

      Recalling the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers Recommendations No. R (85) 4 on violence in the family and R (90) 2 on social measures concerning violence within the family;

      Noting that violence against women includes sexual, physical and mental abuse within or outside a relationship;

      Noting that violence against women exists in every member state, although there are differences in the information and assistance given to abused women;

      Noting that the financial implications of violence against women are considerable;

      Noting that in many European countries women's organisations and other human rights organisations have been working for a long time to make society recognise the seriousness of violence against women and the need to improve the situation of victims or those at risk of abuse,

      Considers that it would be appropriate to organise a hearing with women's organisations to examine the issues of violence on women in Europe and draw up a plan of exchanges of good practises within member states in preventive work on violence on women. Special emphasis should be put on work among young men and women;

      Considers it essential that member states:

i.       improve the ability of their judicial system to act promptly and adequately in cases of violence against women, for example, by ensuring the possibility of prosecution in cases when violence has been committed on private property as well as on public premises;

ii.       improve the possibilities of the police to intervene more easily in situations where violence occurs inside the family;

iii.       develop their legislation on sex crimes;

iv.       provide adequate and accessible legal aid for the victims of violence;

v.        provide assistance and support to the victims of violence during trials;

vi.       provide adequate education on the reasons of violence to those professional groups who deal with these issues such as social workers, nurses, doctors, judges and police;

vii.       provide education which promotes non-violence and equality already in kindergartens and afterwards throughout life;

viii.       engage in intersectoral co-operation within the administration to tackle the problem of violence on women of all ages;

ix.       provide financial assistance to governmental and non-governmental organisations providing assistance, information and help to the victims of violence and to those with violent attitude problems (crisis-phones, child care, safe homes etc);

x.       finance special projects for men showing a violent attitude;

xi.       organise in co-operation with national media and non-governmental organisations information campaigns for the general public about the problem with a view to raising general awareness;

xii.       gather information and statistical data at both academic and applicable levels,

      Recommends that the Committee of Ministers adopt a resolution and a plan of action for the prevention of violence against women in Europe and start a dialogue with the European Commission in order to ensure that adequate measures are taken within the member states to tackle the problem and that research on the subject is promoted and financed at European level.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed: ¹

Jäätteenmäki, Finland, LDR

Calner, Sweden, SOC

Elo, Finland, SOC

Gelderblom-Lankhout, Netherlands, LDR

Isohookana-Asunmaa, Finland, LDR

Jansson, Finland, LDR

Korkeaoja, Finland, LDR

Laakso, Finland, UEL

Luhtanen, Finland, SOC

Magnusson, Sweden, SOC

Ragnarsdottir, Iceland, EDG

Ringstad, Norway, LDR

Simonsen, Norway, NR

Tiuri, Finland, EDG

¹        SOC: Socialist Group       LDR: Liberal, Democratic and Reformers' Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party       UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      EDG: European Democratic Group       NR: not registered in a group