Manon Aubry MEP (The Left, French) has submitted her draft opinion on the directive to combat violence against women and domestic violence (see EUROPE 13069/10) to the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI). While on the whole she welcomes the “wide range of essential measures” included in the European Commission’s legislative proposal, she considers that “some improvements could be made”.
In particular, she calls for the inclusion of gender-based violence as a new crime area in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU). A study presented to the European Parliament in October 2022 also indicated that its introduction as a separate category of European crime could, in time, standardise the way in which gender-based violence is viewed across the EU (see EUROPE 13053/22).
The draft opinion also stresses the need for sufficient funding from Member States, in particular to set up shelters for victims as well as specialised support services in the health, social, police, justice and economy sectors. It does not, however, specify what budget or allocation would constitute “sufficient” funding.
Finally, the draft opinion suggests introducing “pre- and in-service training for police officers and law enforcement agencies on the prevention of and response to violence”.
JURI MEPs now have until 13 January to propose amendments. The European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) and Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) will in turn consider their position on this legislative proposal on Thursday 12 January.
To read the draft opinion: https://aeur.eu/f/4tr (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)