Methods and Policies for Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence at the European Level

Abstract

The study is generally dedicated to researching the methods and policies of the European Union states in terms of preventing and combating domestic violence at the European level. Domestic violence has serious immediate and long-term consequences for the physical and mental health of victims. In the long term, the European Union and the member states develop policies and methods to prevent and combat domestic violence. They aim to protect women from domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence during crises such as pandemics, natural disasters and economic downturns. Given the social and economic consequences of the current pandemic, it is essential to avoid the negative effects through austerity policies that have in turn helped to reduce domestic violence. The adoption of these policies to combat domestic violence is in line with the 2002 Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on the protection of women against violence. This recommendation, among other things, invites Member States to develop action plans to prevent violence and protect victims. In addition, the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) was opened for signature in May 2011 and entered into force in August 2014. This convention is the first binding European instrument in terms of legal views in this regard. It creates a comprehensive framework for preventing violence, protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators, and in November 2020, the Convention counted all EU member states among its signatories.