26/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Violence against women: the law of silence must be broken. A woman who is the victim of violence is, indeed, a victim, and should be heard and defended as a victim. It is a matter of the respect due to women and their place in society, a place which women intend to take fully, forsaking nothing and with no taboos, a place they intend to ensure is respected. Wherever women are victims, their voice must be heard: the law of silence must be broken. Such is the substance of the call launched by the deputy chair of the women's rights committee Elisabeth Morin-Chartier (EPP, France) and other MEPs to the conscience of us all to challenge and condemn sexist comments and all forms of violence against women. (G.B./transl.rt)