standardise national legislation on violence against women, violence against children and sexual ...

216 Pages·2010·2.68 MB·English

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European Commission
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Feasibility study to assess the possibilities,
opportunities and needs to standardise
national legislation on violence against
women, violence against children and
sexual orientation violence
European Commission
Charte graphique
Graphic specifications
conception original OIB4 Concept & reproduction G09/r2a00p5hische karte
This study has been carried out for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and expresses the opinion
of the organisation undertaking the study. These views have not been adopted or in any way approved by the European
Commission and should not be relied upon as a statement of the European Commission or Justice DG.
The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the information given in the study, nor does it accept
responsibility for any use made thereof.
Copyright in this study is held by the European Union. Persons wishing to use the contents of this study (in whole or in
part) for purposes other than their personal use are invited to submit a written request to the following address:
European Commission
Directorate-General for Justice
Directorate B — Criminal Justice
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Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication.
Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2010
ISBN 978-92-79-14254-3
doi:10.2758/3026
© European Union, 2010
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
Printed in Luxembourg
Printed on elemental chlorine-free bleached PaPer (ecf)
Contents
PROJECT TEAM �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9
List of abbreviations ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
Executive summary �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13
1� Chapter 1 — Introduction and methodological approach ������������������������������������������������������23
1.1 Aims and objectives of the study — the research team ...........................................................23
1.2 Why interpersonal violence is a matter of fundamental rights ..............................................23
1.3 International legal standards and obligations of Member States ............................................26
1.4 Conceptual and methodological approach ...............................................................................27
1.4.1 Defining violence in the three fields ..............................................................................27
1.4.2 The challenge of comparative analysis ............................................................................29
1.4.3 Multiple and diverse causal factors .................................................................................29
1.5 Methodology .................................................................................................................................30
1.5.1 Organisation of the research ............................................................................................30
1.5.2 Task 1 — Mapping: questionnaire, national reports and follow-up questionnaire ..30
1.5.3 Task 2 — Comparative analysis, using thematic reports .............................................34
1.5.4 Task 3 — Minimum standards .........................................................................................35
1.5.5 Task 4 — Review of knowledge on factors at play in perpetration of violence .........36
1.5.6 Task 5 — Recommendations ............................................................................................37
2� Chapter 2 — Mapping legal measures and comparative analysis ��������������������������������������������38
2.1 Structure of this chapter ...............................................................................................................38
2.2 Child maltreatment .....................................................................................................................38
2.2.1 Child protection.................................................................................................................39
2.2.1.1 Responsible authorities for child protection .................................................39
2.2.1.2 Multi-agency cooperation ...............................................................................40
2.2.1.3 Mandatory reporting ........................................................................................40
2.2.2 Criminal law: sexual abuse ...............................................................................................41
2.2.2.1 Statute of limitation ..........................................................................................42
2.2.3 Physical abuse ....................................................................................................................42
2.2.3.1 Implementation ................................................................................................43
2.2.4 Neglect ................................................................................................................................44
2.2.5 Rights of the child and victim protection in proceedings ............................................44
2.2.5.1 Civil/family court proceedings .......................................................................45
2.2.5.2 Criminal proceedings .....................................................................................45
2.2.6 Support services and prevention .....................................................................................45
2.2.7 Capacity-building and training .......................................................................................47
2.2.8 Statistics, data and research ..............................................................................................47
2.2.9 Perspectives on promising practices and harmonisation .............................................48
2.2.10 Comparative analysis ........................................................................................................48
2.3 Violence against women (VAW) .................................................................................................50
2.3.1 Rape and sexual harassment ............................................................................................50
2.3.2 Rape .....................................................................................................................................50
2.3.2.1 Legislation and policy .....................................................................................51
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2.3.2.2 Other sexual offences .......................................................................................53
2.3.2.3 Investigation and prosecution ........................................................................54
2.3.2.4 Protection ..........................................................................................................55
2.3.2.5 Sex offenders .....................................................................................................56
2.3.2.6 Support ...............................................................................................................56
2.3.2.7 Prevention .........................................................................................................57
2.3.2.8 Capacity-building and training ......................................................................57
2.3.2.9 Statistics and data ............................................................................................57
2.3.3 Sexual harassment .............................................................................................................57
2.3.3.1 Legislation and policy .....................................................................................58
2.3.4 Implementation .................................................................................................................59
2.3.4.1 Support services ................................................................................................60
2.3.4.2 Prevention and capacity-building and training ............................................60
2.3.4.3 Statistics, data and research .............................................................................60
2.3.4.4 Comparative analysis .......................................................................................60
2.3.5 Intimate partner violence (IPV) ......................................................................................60
2.3.5.1 Legal measures and policy ..............................................................................62
2.3.5.2 Protection ..........................................................................................................63
2.3.5.3 Implementation: investigation and prosecution...........................................64
2.3.5.4 Support services ...............................................................................................65
2.3.5.5 Prevention .........................................................................................................66
2.3.5.6 Capacity-building and training ......................................................................66
2.3.5.7 Statistics, data and research .............................................................................66
2.3.6 Stalking ...............................................................................................................................66
2.3.6.1 Legal measures and policy ...............................................................................66
2.3.6.2 Criminal law ......................................................................................................67
2.3.6.3 Investigation and prosecution.........................................................................68
2.3.6.4 Protection ..........................................................................................................69
2.3.6.5 Support ..............................................................................................................69
2.3.6.6 Prevention .........................................................................................................69
2.3.6.7 Capacity-building and training ......................................................................69
2.3.6.8 Statistics, data and research .............................................................................70
2.3.6.9 Comparative analysis ......................................................................................70
2.3.7 Female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based violence ..................70
2.3.7.1 Female genital mutilation ................................................................................71
2.3.7.1.1 Legislation and policy .....................................................................71
2.3.7.1.2 Support ..............................................................................................73
2.3.7.1.3 Prevention.........................................................................................73
2.3.7.1.4 Capacity-building and training .....................................................73
2.3.7.1.5 Research and statistics ....................................................................74
2.3.7.2 Honour-based violence ...................................................................................74
2.3.7.2.1 Legislation and policy .....................................................................74
2.3.7.2.2 Support ..............................................................................................75
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2.3.7.2.3 Prevention.........................................................................................75
2.3.7.2.4 Capacity-building and training .....................................................75
2.3.7.2.5 Research and statistics ....................................................................75
2.3.7.3 Forced marriage ................................................................................................75
2.3.7.3.1 Legislation and policy .....................................................................75
2.3.7.3.2 Support ..............................................................................................76
2.3.7.3.3 Prevention.........................................................................................77
2.3.7.3.4 Capacity-building and training .....................................................77
2.3.7.3.5 Research and statistics ....................................................................77
2.3.7.4 Comparative analysis of FGM, HBV and FM ...............................................77
2.3.8 Trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation and the commercial
exploitation of children .....................................................................................................78
2.3.8.1 Legal measures and policy ...............................................................................79
2.3.8.2 CSEC ..................................................................................................................79
2.3.8.3 Investigation and prosecution.........................................................................80
2.3.8.4 Support and protection ....................................................................................81
2.3.8.5 Prevention .........................................................................................................82
2.3.8.6 Capacity-building and training ......................................................................82
2.3.8.7 Statistics and research ......................................................................................82
2.3.8.8 Comparative analysis .......................................................................................83
2.4 Sexual orientation violence (SOV) .............................................................................................83
2.4.1 SOV and fundamental rights ...........................................................................................84
2.4.2 Legislation and policy .......................................................................................................85
2.4.3 Protection ...........................................................................................................................87
2.4.4 Support ................................................................................................................................87
2.4.5 Prevention ..........................................................................................................................88
2.4.6 Capacity-building and training .......................................................................................88
2.4.7 Statistics and research .......................................................................................................88
2.4.8 Comparative analysis ........................................................................................................89
2.5 Victims’ rights ..............................................................................................................................89
2.5.1 The EU framework ............................................................................................................89
2.5.2 Codification of victims’ rights..........................................................................................90
2.5.3 Respect and dignity ..........................................................................................................90
2.5.4 Receiving information ......................................................................................................91
2.5.5 Involvement as affected party ..........................................................................................91
2.5.6 Protection in proceedings ................................................................................................92
2.5.7 Mediation in cases of interpersonal violence .................................................................92
2.5.8 Legal aid and other forms of assistance ..........................................................................94
2.5.9 Compensation ...................................................................................................................94
2.5.10 Comparative analysis .......................................................................................................95
2.6 National plans of action (NPA) ...................................................................................................95
2.7 Promising practices ......................................................................................................................96
2.7.1 Overarching legislation with structures and methods for integrated approaches ....97
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2.7.2 Securing victims’ rights ....................................................................................................99
2.7.3 Legal frameworks, regulations and guidelines establishing procedures
for quick and effective intervention .............................................................................101
2.7.4 Specialisation....................................................................................................................102
2.7.5 Cooperation .....................................................................................................................102
2.7.6 Cooperation on the policy level .....................................................................................104
2.7.7 Protecting and empowering victims through support and assistance .....................104
2.7.8 Interventions with perpetrators .....................................................................................106
2.7.9 Data collection, monitoring and evaluation ................................................................106
2.7.10 Prevention ........................................................................................................................107
3� Chapter 3 — Comparative synthesis and cross-cutting issues ����������������������������������������������108
3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................108
3.2 Comparative synthesis ...............................................................................................................108
3.2.1 Historical development of legal responses in the fields of VAW, VAC and SOV ....108
3.2.2 Legislation on VAW, VAC and SOV ..............................................................................110
3.2.3 Applying aggravating clauses to VAC, VAW and SOV ...............................................112
3.2.4 Protective provisions .......................................................................................................112
3.2.4.1 General .............................................................................................................112
3.2.4.2 Family-based — gender-based approach ....................................................113
3.2.4.3 Vulnerabilities to be considered when devising protective measures ....113
3.2.4.4 Immediacy of protective provisions .............................................................114
3.2.5 Investigation and prosecution .......................................................................................114
3.2.5.1 Attrition ...........................................................................................................114
3.2.5.2 Monitoring and registration ..........................................................................115
3.2.6 Victims’ rights ..................................................................................................................116
3.2.7 Support services ..............................................................................................................116
3.2.7.1 Shortage of support services .........................................................................116
3.2.7.2 Multi-agency interventions and the role of law and policy-based
measures ..........................................................................................................117
3.2.8 Training and capacity-building .....................................................................................118
3.2.9 Prevention ........................................................................................................................118
3.2.10 Research and statistics ....................................................................................................119
3.3 Member States and international human rights instruments ...............................................121
3.3.1 Ratification of relevant human rights instruments and national approach .............121
3.3.2 VAW, VAC and SOV as a human rights and/or gender equality issue ....................122
3.4 Preliminary conclusions ...........................................................................................................124
3.4.1 Human rights-based approach: violence as coming from inequality
and discrimination .........................................................................................................124
3.4.2 Human rights-based approach: comprehensive and integrated law and policy
frameworks .......................................................................................................................125
4� Chapter 4 — Identifying minimum standards �����������������������������������������������������������������������127
4.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................127
4.2 State obligations in the fields of VAW, VAC and SOV: the duty to respect, protect, fulfil ......127
4.3 Selecting relevant standards: method ......................................................................................128
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4.3.1 Step 1: Identifying standards .........................................................................................128
4.3.1.1 Sources — violence against women .............................................................129
4.3.1.2 Sources — violence against children ............................................................131
4.3.1.3 Sources — sexual orientation violence ........................................................135
4.3.2 Step 2: Selection of relevant standards and propositions for additional
or revised standards ........................................................................................................139
4.4 EU perspectives on harmonisation .........................................................................................139
4.4.1 Approach ..........................................................................................................................139
4.4.2 Harmonisation of law .....................................................................................................140
4.4.2.1 Criteria, forms and legal areas of harmonisation .......................................140
4.4.2.2 Harmonisation of legislation under the Lisbon Treaty —
criminal procedural law .................................................................................142
4.4.2.3 Harmonisation of substantive criminal law ................................................143
4.4.2.4 Harmonisation of civil law ............................................................................144
4.4.2.5 Harmonisation of legislation relating to protective measures
for crime victims .............................................................................................145
4.4.2.6 Harmonisation of legislation relating to preventive measures ................146
4.4.2.7 Other relevant areas of EU competence ......................................................147
4.4.3 Possible alternatives to legal measures ..........................................................................148
4.4.4 Summing up ....................................................................................................................151
5� Chapter 5 — Factors at play in the perpetration of violence �������������������������������������������������152
5.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................152
5.2 Methodology ..............................................................................................................................152
5.2.1 Review process .................................................................................................................152
5.2.2 Defining research-based factors and levels for a policy-oriented model ................153
5.2.2.1 Levels ...............................................................................................................153
5.2.2.2 Factors ............................................................................................................154
5.2.3 Assigning numerical values to factors .........................................................................156
5.2.4 Limitations of the methodology ....................................................................................157
5.3 Factors conducive to violence against women, violence against children
and sexual orientation violence ................................................................................................158
5.3.1 Macro level ......................................................................................................................158
5.3.2 Meso level .........................................................................................................................160
5.3.3 Micro level ........................................................................................................................161
5.3.4 Ontogenetic level .............................................................................................................162
5.4 Model of factors at play in perpetration ..................................................................................164
5.5 Implications for policy and legislation .....................................................................................173
5.5.1 Interventions ....................................................................................................................173
5.5.2 Selected measures addressing perpetration .................................................................175
6� Chapter 6 — Conclusions and recommendations ������������������������������������������������������������������179
6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................179
6.2 International minimum standards ...........................................................................................179
6.2.1 VAW, VAC and SOV as human rights violations .......................................................179
6.2.2 Substantive criminal law .................................................................................................180
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6.2.3 Criminal procedural law: investigation, prosecution, victims’ rights ......................182
6.2.4 Other protective measures .............................................................................................184
6.2.5 Support ..............................................................................................................................186
6.2.6 Prevention ........................................................................................................................186
6.2.7 Capacity-building and training .....................................................................................187
6.2.8 Research ............................................................................................................................188
6.2.9 Interim conclusion on legal basis for legislative acts ..................................................188
6.2.10 Convergence through other measures ..........................................................................188
6.2.11 Feasibility of harmonisation ...........................................................................................190
6.3 Overarching conclusions and recommendations ..................................................................190
6.3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................190
6.3.2 An integrated human rights-based approach .............................................................192
6.3.3 Coordinated legislation...................................................................................................193
6.3.4 Implementation ...............................................................................................................195
6.3.5 Multidisciplinary intervention.......................................................................................198
6.3.6 Protection ........................................................................................................................200
6.3.7 Prevention linked to protection ....................................................................................203
6.3.8 Monitoring implementation .........................................................................................205
6.3.9 Capacity-building and training .....................................................................................206
6.3.10 Expanding the knowledge base through research .......................................................207
6.3.11 Primary and long-term prevention ...............................................................................208
6.3.12 Perspectives and challenges............................................................................................210
6.3.13 Summing up .....................................................................................................................210
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