Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a programme of Community action (the Daphne Programme) (2000-2004) on measures aimed to prevent violence against children, young persons and women
Date: 1999-02-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU action, child protection, crime against individuals, violence, woman

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Amended  proposal  for  a  European  Parliament  and  Council  Decision  adopting  a  programme  of
Community  action  (the  DAPHNE  Programme)  (2000-2004)  on  measures  aimed  to  prevent
violence  against  children,  young  persons  and  women (1)

(1999/C  89/05)

COM(1999)  82  final  —  98/0192(COD)

(Submitted  by  the  Commission  pursuant  to  Article  189  a(2)  of  the  EC-Treaty  on  17  February
1999)

(1)  OJ  C  259,  18.8.1998,  p.  2.

THE  EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AND  THE  COUNCIL  OF
THE  EUROPEAN  UNION,

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European
Community,  and  in  particular  Article  129  thereof,

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the  Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee,

Having  regard  to  the  opinion  of  the  Committee  of  the
Regions,

Acting  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  referred  to  in
Article  189b  of  the  Treaty,

1.  Whereas  all  acts  of  physical, 

sexual  and
psychological  violence  against  children,  young
persons  and  women  constitute  a  serious  threat  to
the  physical  and  mental  health  of  the  victims  of
such violence and can be considered a major health
scourge;

2.  Whereas 

in 

its
the  European  Parliament, 
Resolutions  of  19  September  1996  on  minors  who
are victims of violence (1) of 12 December 1996 on
measures  to  protect  minors 
in  the  European
Union (2)  and  of  16  September  1997  on  the  need
to  establish  a  European  Union-wide  campaign  for
zero tolerance of violence against women (3) and of
16 December 1997 on trafficking in women for the
purpose  of  sexual  exploitation (4)  has  called  upon
the  Commission  to  draw  up  and  implement  action
programmes  to  combat  such  violence;

(1)  OJ  C  320,  28.10.1996,  p.  190.
(2)  OJ  C  20,  20.1.1997,  p.  170.
(3)  OJ  C  304,  6.10.1997,  p.  55.
(4)  OJ  C  14,  19.1.1998,  p.  39.

3.  Whereas the Commission, in its Communication of
24 November 1993 on the framework for action in
the  field  of  public  health (5),  identified,  inter  alia,
the  prevention  of  injuries  as  an  important  area  for
action  in  the  public  health  field;  whereas  in  this
context  on  25  January  1999  a  Decision  of  the
European Parliament and the Council was adopted
on  a  programme  Community  action  on  injury
prevention;

4.  Whereas, by providing support for acquiring better
knowledge  and  understanding  of,  and  wider
dissemination  of 
information  about  violence
against women, young persons and children and by
to  existing
developing  actions  complementary 
Community  programmes  and  actions,  while
avoiding  unnecessary  duplication,  the  programme
will  contribute  to  ensuring  a  high  level  of  human
health  protection;

5.  Whereas  direct  action  concerning  violence  against
women,  young  persons  and  children  is  in  essence
part  of  Member  States’  activity  at  national,
regional  or  local  level;

6.  Whereas  the  Community  can  provide  added  value
to  the  actions  of  Member  States  concerning  the
prevention  of  violence  against  women,  young
persons  and  children  through  the  dissemination  of
information and experience, the joint establishment
of  priorities,  the  development  of  networking  as
appropriate,  the  selection  of  Community-wide
projects and the motivation and mobilisation of all
involved;

7.  Whereas this programme can bring added value by
identifying  and  stimulating  good  practice  by
encouraging 
exchanging
innovation  and  by 
relevant  experience  concerning  actions  undertaken
in  the  Member  States;

(5)  COM(93)  559  final.

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8.  Whereas, 

therefore, 

in  accordance  with 

the
principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set
out  in  Article  3b  of  the  Treaty,  the  objectives  of
the  proposed  measure  can  be  better  achieved  by
the  Community;  whereas  this  Decision  confines
itself  to  the  minimum  required  in  order  to  achieve
those  objectives  and  does  not  go  beyond  what  is
necessary  for  that  purpose;

9.  Whereas 

active 

between 
States 

the
partnership 
Commission, 
and
the  Member 
non-governmental  organisations  (NGOs)  and  in
particular  women’s  and  children’s  organisations
needs  to  be  promoted  in  this  area  and  synergy
between  all  the  relevant  policies  and  measures
encouraged  by  promoting  cooperation  between
NGOs  and  regional  and  local  authorities;

10.  Whereas,  in  order  to  achieve  the  objectives  of  the
programme  and  use  the  resources  available  in  the
most  efficient  way,  the  areas  in  which  work  is  to
be  done  must  be  carefully  chosen  by  selecting
projects  which  offer  a  greater  added  value  and
and
towards 
show 
dessiminating  innovative  ideas  to  prevent  violence;

trying  out 

the  way 

11.  Whereas 

cooperation  with 

international
organisations  active  in  relevant  fields  including  the
field  of  public  health  and  with  third  countries
should  be  fostered,  as  well  as  with  all  those  likely
to  be  involved  in  preventing  all  forms  of  violence;

the 

12.  Whereas provision should be made for opening up
this  programme  to  participation  by  the  applicant
countries  in  the  pre-accession  phase,  in  conformity
with  the  conditions  established  in  the  relevant
agreements, particularly the association agreements
and  the  additional  protocols  to  those  agreements;

13.  Whereas, in order to increase the value and impact
of  the  programme,  a  continuous  assessment  of  the
actions  undertaken  should  be  carried  out,  with
particular  regard  to  their  effectiveness  and  the
achievement  of  the  objective  set  and  with  a  view,
the  necessary
where  appropriate, 
adjustments;

to  making 

14.  Whereas  this  programme  should  be  of  five-year
duration  in  order  to  allow  sufficient  time  for
actions to be implemented to achieve the objectives
set;

15.  Whereas for the purposes of the application of this
Decision, the Commission should be assisted by an
advisory committee;

16.  Whereas  an  agreement  on  a  modus  vivendi
between the European Parliament, the Council and
the  Commission  concerning  measures  for  the
implementation  of  acts  adopted  under 
the
procedure  laid  down  in  Article  189b  of  the  Treaty
was  reached  on  20  December  1994;

17.  Whereas  this  decision 

lays  down  a  financial
framework  constituting  the  principal  point  of
reference,  within  the  meaning  of  point  1  of  the
Declaration  of 
the
Council and the Commission of 6 March 1995, for
the  annual
the  budgetary  authority  during 
budgetary  procedure;

the  European  Parliament, 

18.  Whereas 

the 

financial 

the
programme  (2000-2004)  shall  be  determined  after
the 
financial
perspectives,

establishment  of 

framework 

future 

the 

for 

HAVE  DECIDED  AS  FOLLOWS:

Article  1

Establishment  of  the  programme

1. A  programme  of  Community  action  on  measures
aimed to prevent violence against children, young persons
and women, hereinafter referred to as ‘the programme’, is
hereby adopted for the period from 1 January 2000 to 31
December  2004.

2. The  aim  of  the  programme  is  to  contribute  towards
ensuring  a  high  level  of  physical  and  mental  health
protection  in  relation  to  children,  young  persons  and
women  who  are  victims  or  potential  victims  of  violence.
If  further  aims  to  increase  knowledge  and  expertise  at
Community  level  in  methods  and  techniques  designed  to
prevent  and  mitigate  the  effects  of  violence  against
children,  young  persons  and  women.

3. The  actions  to  be  implemented  under  the  programme
and their specific objectives are set out in the Annex and
involve:

(a)  setting-up  multidisciplinary  networks,  exchange  of
information  and  coordination  and  cooperation  at
Community  level;

(b) raising  of  public  awareness  and  exchange  of  best

practice;

(c)  complementary actions.

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Article  2

Implementation

1. The  Commission  shall  ensure  implementation,  in
close cooperation with the Member States, of the actions
referred  to  in  Article  1(3).

2. The Commission shall cooperate with institutions and
organisations  active  in  the  field  of  prevention  of  and
protection  against  violence  against  children,  young
persons  and  women,  in  particular  NGOs  and  voluntary
organisations.

Article  3

Budget

1. The  financial  framework  for  the  implementation  of
the five-year programme (2000-2004) shall be established
at  EUR  25  million.

The  Commission  shall  take  the  utmost  account  of  the
opinion  delivered  by  the  Committee.  It  shall  inform  the
Committee  of  the  manner  in  which  its  opinion  has  been
taken  into  account.

2. The  Committee  shall  draw  up  its  own  internal  rules
of  procedure.

Article  6

Functions  of  the  Committee

1. The  Committee,  acting 
procedure 
laid  down 
Commission  in  particular  concerning:

in  accordance  with  the
in  Article  5  shall  assist  the

(a)  the criteria and procedures for selecting and financing

projects  under  the  programme;

(b) the  monitoring  and  evaluation  procedure.

2. The  annual  appropriations  shall  be  established  by  he
Budgetary  Authority  in  accordance  with  the  financial
perspectives.

2. The  representative  of  the  Commission  shall  keep  the
Commission shall keep the Committee regularly informed
about  the  overall  state  of  progress  of  the  programme.

Article  4

Consistency  and  complementarity

Article  7

International  cooperation

implemented  under 

The  Commission  shall  ensure  that  there  is  consistency
and  complementarity  between  the  Community  actions  to
those
be 
implemented 
relevant  Community
other 
programmes and measures,  in particular  the  programmes
in  the  field  of  public  health  including  that  on  injury
prevention.

the  programme  and 

under 

Article  5

Committee

1. For  the  purpose  of  the  application  of  this  Decision,
the  Commission  shall  be  assisted  by  a  committee  of  an
advisory  nature  composed  of  the  representatives  of  the
Member  States  and  chaired  by  the  representative  of  the
Commission.

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the
Committee  a  draft  of  the  measures  to  be  taken.  The
Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a
time-limit  which  the  Chairman  may  lay  down  according
to  the  urgency  of  the  matter,  if  necessary  by  taking  a
vote.

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition,
each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its
position  recorded  in  the  minutes.

In  the  course  of 

1.
implementing  the  programme,
cooperation  with  third  countries  and  with  international
organisations competent in the field of public health shall
be fostered as well as with all those likely to be involved
in  preventing  all  forms  of  violence.

2. The  programme  shall  be  open  to  participation  by  the
EFTA/EEA  countries  in  accordance  with  the  conditions
fixed  in  the  EEA  Agreement.  The  programme  shall  be
open  to  participation  by  the  associated  countries  of
Central Europe (CEC), in accordance with the conditions
laid  down  in  he  Association  Agreements  or  Additional
Protocols  related  thereto  concerning  participation  in
Community  programmes.  The  programme  shall  be  open
to  participation  by  Cyprus  on  the  basis  of  additional
appropriations  in  accordance  with  procedures  to  be
agreed  with  that  country.

Article  8

Monitoring  and  evaluation

In 

the 

implementation  of 

the
1.
Commission  shall  take  the  necessary  measures  to  ensure
the  monitoring  and  continuous  evaluation  of 
the
programme,  taking  account  of  the  general  and  specific
objectives  referred  to  in  Article  1  and  in  the  Annex.

this  Decision, 

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2. Each  year  the  Commission  shall  submit  progress
reports  to  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council.
during the third year of the programme, the Commission
shall  present  to  the  European  Parliament  and  to  the
Council  an  evaluation  report.

3. The  Commission  shall  submit  to  the  European
Parliament  and  the  Council  a  final  report  on  completion
of  the  programme.

4. The  Commission  shall  incorporate  into  the  reports
referred  to  in  paragraphs  2  and  3  information  on
Community  financing  in  the  various  fields  of  action  and
on  complementarity  with  the  other  actions  referred  to  in
Article 4, as well as the results of the evaluations. It shall
also  send  them  to  the  Economic  and  Social  Committee
and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions.

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ANNEX

SPECIFIC  OBJECTIVES  AND  ACTIONS

I.  ACTIONS  TO  SET  UP  MULTIDISCIPLINARY  NETWORKS  AND  TO  ASSURE  EXCHANGE  OF
INFORMATION,  COORDINATION  AND  COOPERATION  AT  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITY
LEVEL

Objective:

to assist and encourage non-governmental organisations and voluntary organisations (NGOs)
to  work  together  with  each  other  and  with  officials  of  public  bodies

1.  Support  for  the  establishment  of  multidisciplinary  networks  involving  NGOs  from  different  Member
States  in  order  to  facilitate  the  exchange  of  relevant  information  and  experiences  concerning  actions
undertaken  in  the  Member  States

2.  Encouragement  of  cooperation  between  NGOs  of  the  Member  States  and  officials  of  public  bodies  in
order  to  improve  on  both  sides  the  level  of  knowledge  and  understanding  of  each  other’s  role  and  to
exchange  relevant  information  and  experiences  concerning  actions  undertaken  in  the  Member  States.

The  networks  shall  in  particular  carry  out  activities  to  address  the  problems  of  violence  that  will:

(1) characterise  different  types  of  violence  and  assess  the  causes  and  the  public  health  consequences  of

violence;

(2) assess  the  types  and  effectiveness  of  measures  to  prevent  violence  and  mitigate  its  effects;

(3) promote  activities  to  tackle  this  problem  at  both  international  and  national  level.

II.  ACTIONS AIMED AT THE RAISING OF PUBLIC AWARENESS AND THE EXCHANGE OF BEST

PRACTICE

Objective:

to  raise  public  awareness  about  violence  and  the  prevention  of  violence  against  children,
young  persons  and  women  and  to  encourage  the  exchange  of  best  practice

3.  Promotion  of  in  information  campaigns  and  pilot  projects  and  awareness-raising  activities  among  the
general  public  and,  in  particular,  among  children  and  young  persons,  educators  and  other  categories
involved  about  potential  risks  of  violence  and  of  ways  of  avoiding  them.

4.  Development  of  a  Community-wide  information  source  to  assist  NGOs  and  inform  them  of  publicly
available  information  compiled  by  governmental,  NGO  and  academic  sources  relevant  to  the  field  of
violence  and  the  means  to  prevent  it,  as  well  as  the  provision  of  information  about  all  measures  and
programmes  on  this  subject  under  the  auspices  of  the  EC.  This  should  enable  information  to  be
integrated 
injury  prevention
programme.

information  system  established  under  the 

into  the  public  health 

5.  Research  programmes  in  the  field  of  violence  and  sexual  abuse  and  the  means  of  their  prevention  with
the aim, inter alia, of identifying the most effective procedures for preventing violence and for examining
the  social  and  economic  costs  thereof.

6.  Stimulation and exchange of best practice at Community level on the support and protection of children,

young  persons  and  women  at  risk,  with  special  emphasis  on  prevention.

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III.  COMPLEMENTARY  ACTIONS

In addition, the programme will finance studies, meetings of experts, seminars, information and publications
directly  connected  with  the  realisation  of  the  action  of  which  they  are  an  integral  part,  as  well  as  the
technical  and  administrative  assistance  expenditure,  to  the  mutual  benefit  of  the  Commission  and  the
beneficiaries  of  the  operation  and  not  falling  within  the  permanent  tasks  of  the  public  service,  connected
with  the  identification,  preparation,  management,  monitoring,  auditing  and  control  of  the  programme  or
project.