The new rules aim to prevent rape and raise awareness on consent, while female genital mutilation and forced marriage are included as crimes under EU law. After the deal reached between the Parliament and the Council, MEPs debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on the first EU rules on combating violence against women and domestic violence. The new directive prohibits forced marriage and female genital mutilation and have specific rules on cybercrimes, such as cyber-flashing and cyber-stalking. Victims improves access to justice and to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive services, while the legislation will include provisions to prevent rape.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

vote

violence against women (T)

ESTARÀS FERRAGUT, Rosa (EPP, ES)

FITZGERALD, Frances (EPP, IE)

INCIR, Evin (S&D, SE)

AUBRY, Manon (The Left, FR)

GEESE, Alexandra (Greens/EFA, DE)

DALLI, Helena (MT, EC)

Combatting violence against women and domestic violence: extracts from the debate (23.04) and from the vote (24.04)

External shot of the European Parliament in Strasbourg 

SOUNDBITE (English), Evin INCIR (S&amp;D, SE), Rapporteur, We succeeded in incorporating for the first time in EU legislation the requirement for Member States to promote a cultural based on consent in sexual relationships to define, of course, sexual sex as a criminal offence. While this may not seem groundbreaking at first glance, the challenges faced during negotiations have revealed its truly strong and revolutionary nature.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, IE), Rapporteur, We need a robust monitoring framework and a genuine commitment across all levels of government to ensure that this is really implemented, that we tackle this with the right resources and support. And I would say to ministers for justice across the European Union, we saw ambivalence from some of them. Do your absolute utmost. Learn from your colleagues across Europe what works well, exchange best practice, fight for that extra bit of budget, invest in resources and make a successful tackling of this crime. Your legacy. We do not want to cut corners on the implementation of this legislation. Don't try and minimise it. Build on it.

SOUNDBITE (English), Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality, The message is clear. No longer will we accept violence against women and domestic violence in Europe. The directive represents an important step towards promoting change in social and cultural patterns of behaviour and ultimately reducing the prevalence of all forms of violence against women and domestic violence in the EU. Victims of violence against women and domestic violence across the EU will now benefit from the same measures of protection, support and access to justice.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Rosa ESTAR&Agrave;S FERRAGUT, on behalf of EMPL Committee, We are taking a historic step forward to make Europe the first continent in the world to eliminate violence against women. We are sending a clear message. It's not acceptable that just because you're a woman, you face greater risks than if you were a man. Across the EU, we will criminalise female genital mutilation in all its forms. Forced marriages. Cyber harassment. Cyber attacks. Invitation to hatred or violence. Online and non-consensual exchange of intimate images. These common rules are set out to make us stronger. But this is also about facilitating access to justice. We talk about protection and prevention.

SOUNDBITE (German), Alexandra GEESE (Greens/EFA, DE), on behalf of BUDG Committee, It's a huge success that this new Directive fighting violence against women clearly states that the publishing of naked pictures of is a crime. What I find shocking is that the Council has made it such a high barrier to being able to prosecute this, because of the really serious damage it is. Ladies and gentlemen, every women knows that the publication of naked pictures against the once own will is a serious damage. So, why do you have what more needs to be defined? So, this form of violence against women has to end. Let's fight for a Europe where women can live free and safe.

SOUNDBITE (French), Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), on behalf of JURI Committee, Every 7 minutes there is a rape in the European Union, 100,000 every year. And how many rapists are sentenced? Less than 1%. What would we say if only 1% of robbers or thieves were sentenced? We'd say that this was widespread impunity. This would constantly be in the headlines. But it's always different, isn't it, when it's about women's rights.

Vote on Combatting violence against women and domestic violence in the hemicycle 

Results of the vote on Combatting violence against women and domestic violence (522 in favour, 27 agains, 72 abstentions)