Raad van Europa start campagne tegen huishoudelijk geweld tegen vrouwen (en)

Bucharest, 25.11.2005 - On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), adopted the following statement at its meeting in Bucharest today:

"Thousands of women face physical, sexual and psychological violence on a daily basis in Europe. Every day, one in five women in our continent is the victim of domestic abuse. The problem affects all member states of the Council of Europe and all socio-professional categories. Too many victims, however, suffer in silence and too many crimes go unpunished.

Today, on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Assembly condemns this all too common form of violence suffered by women in Europe within their own homes. The scale and spread of domestic abuse in Europe, which is a serious violation of human rights, call for a change in the law and in attitudes.

The Parliamentary Assembly has decided to give its wholehearted support to the pan-European campaign to combat violence against women, including domestic violence, which is to be launched by the Council of Europe in 2006-2007. The Assembly will seek to alert national parliaments in the 46 member states and the public at large to the need for action to prevent and punish domestic violence and to provide more help for victims. The Assembly intends to work with local authorities and non-governmental organisations to ensure that the campaign is a success".

Contact:

Communication Unit of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly

Tel. +33 3 88 41 31 93 Fax +33 3 90 21 41 34; e-mail: pace.com@coe.int