WRITTEN QUESTION E-0311/00

by Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 February 2000)

Subject: Legislation on the abuse of women

Recent research has shown that 98 % of the victims of violence in the European Union are women, and that one in five women has been physically abused by her husband. It is believed that the number of women who are the victims of physical, sexual or psychological violence both in the family environment and outside is far higher than usually publicly acknowledged, partly out of an understandable desire to shield society and partly because of intimidation. A firm response is needed in so far as existing legislation in this area either contains loopholes or, in some countries, actually fosters a tolerant attitude towards every kind of violence against women.

Does the Commission intend to submit proposals aimed at:

1. Strengthening legislation to protect women from physical, sexual and psychological abuse?

2. Supporting social care programmes by setting up special centres, increasing public awareness and generally providing more information, so as to make it easier to report such events to the authorities?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(14 April 2000)

The Commission shares the concern of the Honourable Member concerning abuse of women.

In general the primary responsibility for legislating to protect women from all forms of abuse remains with the Member States. The Commission respects the principle of subsidiarity in this field. Nevertheless, the Commission has paid considerable attention to this problem at Community level. In particular, it has organised the Campaign against Violence against Women which will conclude with a conference in Lisbon in May 2000. This has involved many organisations in the fight against violence.

As regards trafficking in women and sexual exploitation of children, including child pornography on the Internet the Commission intends to present detailed proposals with a view to approximating the criminal laws of the Member States. The proposals will also include the issue of temporary permits of stay for victims who are ready to provide evidence in front of courts. One objective of the proposals is to strengthen legislation at European level to protect women from the abuse and violation of human rights that trafficking and sexual exploitation represents.

Furthermore, the Commission manages the Daphne Programme, which combats violence in all its forms against women and children, as well as the STOP Programme, which combats the trafficking of human beings and the sexual exploitation of children. The Commission seeks to set up, within these programmes, networks throughout the Community involving organisations, both public and private, active in the fight against violence. Its aim is to encourage the exchange of information and best practice in the field.

Although the Commission cannot itself support the physical costs of setting up special centres to protect women against abuse these costs are for the Member States the Daphne and STOP programmes also contribute to increasing public awareness and providing information. The Commission seeks in this way to encourage victims of abuse to make contact with the appropriate authorities.