Press Statement from Frances Fitzgerald MEP
Tuesday 8th March 2022
New Directive ensures no safe havens in Europe for perpetrators of violence against women - Fitzgerald
Frances Fitzgerald MEP for Dublin today (Tuesday), welcomed the European Commission’s landmark proposal to combat Violence Against Women.
Speaking in Strasbourg while marking International Women’s Day, MEP Fitzgerald said “This is a landmark and historic day in establishing a European wide approach to ending Gender Based Violence. As this Directive falls under the scope of Article 83(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, it ensures that the offences laid out in this Directive will be a crime everywhere in the European Union, and punishable to the same standards. Today we are making a statement in saying that there will be no havens of impunity for offenders of violence against women in the European Union.”
“This Directive ensures that there can be no hiding place for perpetrators of domestic and gender based violence in Europe. There will be no sanctuary anywhere for those who commit Gender Based Violence.”
“This pervasive violence needs absolute resolve across Europe. This means interrupting prevalent cultural attitudes about violence and gender equality.”
“I am heartened to see the European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, taking this issue so seriously and putting forward such a comprehensive proposal to combat this shadow pandemic that is so pervasive in our societies.”
The Directive comprises five key elements:
1. Criminalisation of rape, female genital mutilation, and cyber violence
2. Safe reporting and risk assessment procedures
3. Respect for victims privacy in judicial proceedings and right to compensation
4. Support for victims through helplines and rape crisis centres
5. Better coordination and cooperation
The Directive will now go for consideration to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, after which a final text will be discussed and approved by both institutions.
ENDS
Note to editors:
Further details of the Directive can be found here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_1533
Contact:
Una Clarke: Una.clarke@europarl.europa.eu
