Illegal activities are being committed. Illegal deeds have taken place. Unlawful actions have transpired. Criminal acts have occurred. - State approaches to addressing domestic violence and femicide
Domestic abuse and femicide cases are increasing worldwide, with women being the main victims. During the pandemic, the number of domestic violence incidents has risen in some European Union countries. The EU Council recently approved a directive to confront violence against women and domestic violence. However, measures differ significantly between countries.
In Germany, where the number of domestic violence victims increased by 6.5% in 2023 to over 256,000, the government has taken steps to address the issue, including helplines, secret apps, and higher penalties for offenders. Stricter rules for offenders are also being considered, such as mandatory anti-violence training and electronic ankle monitors. However, there's a serious issue: a shortage of approximately 14,000 women's shelter spaces in the country.
Spain is a leader in Europe in combat domestic violence. Since the 90s, they have enacted laws and established a state monitoring office, with fast-track legal proceedings, strict sentences, hotlines with counseling in over 50 languages, specialized training for professionals, and police units focused on domestic violence. Furthermore, electronic ankle monitors have been used for over 15 years.
France is under fire for not doing enough to protect women from domestic violence, sparking outrage after a victim was murdered by her ex-partner. The government has taken steps, such as prioritizing complaints, creating police positions for domestic violence, implementing special court units, and planning women's shelters in each department. Despite this, critics assert that a comprehensive, effective strategy is required.
Switzerland is testing an electronic monitoring system where potential perpetrators and victims are tracked. If the two come too close, an alarm notifies authorities. Additionally, the new sexual offenses law treats violence as a crime even if no explicit threats were made. They also plan to have a 24-hour phone line for victims of violence. There were 25 domestic violence-related deaths in Switzerland in 2023, 20 of whom were women and girls.
Different countries are tackling the issue in unique ways, with some having made significant strides while others are still struggling to effectively protect women from domestic violence.
A rise in domestic violence cases during the COVID-19 pandemic has sent shockwaves through society. Most of the victims are women. Some countries within the European Union have seen multiplied instances of severe domestic violence and femicides.To counter this, the EU Council has recently given the green light for a directive to combat violence against women and domestic violence. However, measures in each country vary greatly.
In Germany, the number of domestic violence victims steadily increased, reaching over 256,000 in 2023, a 6.5% increase from the previous year. The data clearly shows that women are the main victims, with 155 women killed by their partner or ex-partner in 2023. The German government acknowledges the need for action and has supported helplines such as the "Violence against Women" hotline and the "Violence-Free into the Future" app, which can be secretly used by affected individuals to document violence for use in court.
Germany also wants to introduce stricter measures for violent men, such as anti-violence training, electronic ankle monitors, and entrenched right to protection and counseling for victims. They also hope to create much-needed women's shelter spaces by holding the federal government financially accountable. However, there is a shortage of around 14,000 spaces nationwide that has been a problem for victims for a while.
Spain is a leader in Europe for combating violence against women. Their measures date back more than 20 years, with a state monitoring office, priority status, fast-track legal proceedings, strict sentences, hotlines providing counseling in more than 50 languages, specialized training for professionals, television debates, and publicly acclaimed films and TV series. The police have specialized units, and every officer is aware of how to respond to domestic violence incidents. If a suspicion of violence is suspected and the victim is afraid to report, an officer must take immediate action.
In France, there is increasing outrage for insufficient action against domestic violence, fueled by a recent high-profile case where a woman was killed by her ex-partner. The government has announced plans to take action, including prioritized complaints, police positions, court units, and women's shelters in each of the 100 departments. While Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti stated that femicides decreased by 20% to 94 cases in the previous year, advocates believe the number will remain high. Nous Toutes, a women's rights organization, reported 134 cases in 2023.
Switzerland is testing an electronic monitoring system in Zürich, where potential perpetrators and victims are tracked. If they come too close to each other, an alarm notifies authorities. They also plan to implement the new sexual offenses law, where rape or sexual coercion can now be considered even if no explicit threats were made. An emergency phone line for victims of violence will be established in the upcoming year. There were 25 domestic violence-related deaths in Switzerland in 2023, 20 of them women and girls.
Countries seek to tackle the issue differently, with some making progress while others struggle to protect women from domestic violence.
In Austria, males that pose a threat to women can be removed from their shared home without much hesitation. This "approach and entry ban" was enforced over 15,000 times last year. It is seen as a crucial measure against domestic violence. In contrast to many other countries, judges no longer make the decision, but instead, the police force determines if offenders should be sent away for 14 days. This rule also requires them to undergo counseling. As Birgitt Haller from the Institute for Conflict Research in Vienna states, "Preventing imminent or impending violence with this method is possible."
Additional actions are suggested by Haller to further combat female killings. Last year, 26 such murders were recorded. Haller has developed a study for several ministries. Her recommendations include spreading awareness on the support services provided by law enforcement and victim protection facilities, which are scarcely used at the moment. She also advocates for increased social work with teenage males and enhanced healthcare options for mentally ill men.
"Code Rosso" in Italy for Female Protection
Femicide has long been a societal issue in Italy. The Interior Ministry in Rome reports that more than 30 incidents of female homicide have transpired this year. Since five years ago, there has been the "Code Rosso" (Rosso being the Italian word for "Red") to safeguard women. The 2019 law facilitates quicker interventions from police and courts to defend women from domestic abuse, including temporary arrests and the usage of ankle monitors for restrictive orders.
In November of last year, the Italy government, amid extensive outrage within the society over various femicides, issued extra measures against violence against women. This package includes heightened surveillance of men who have committed domestic abuse. Additionally, there is a plan to broaden women's protection centers.
"Emergency Button App" in Greece
Female homicides and severe domestic violence have considerably increased in Greece recently, according to the Interior Ministry. These cases frequently result in shocking news articles and public indignation. The most recent incident involved a woman being murdered by her ex-boyfriend in front of a police station where she had previously sought help. The government has now launched an "Emergency Button App" to raise awareness around domestic violence and establish more women's shelters and assistance centers.
The "Emergency Button App" underwent testing as a prototype in the primary cities of Athens and Thessaloniki and is now available nationwide for both women and men. By pressing a button, the app summons the police, who are then mandated to initiate immediate action. According to the Interior Ministry, the number of distress calls in May of this year increased by 60% as compared to the prior year. In the same month, 1000 individuals were apprehended for domestic violence.
Tough Penalties for Perpetrators in Cyprus
Femicide has been a separate offense (Delictum sui generis) in Cyprus since July 2022. The perpetrator can face severe penalties, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. With this law, a "destabilizing social reality" is made apparent, they stated in parliament. In Cyprus, with an estimated population of 900,000 people, there were 22 women killed in the past four years, according to the Association for the Prevention and Treatment of Family Violence (SPAVO).
Feminists in Turkey Criticize the Government
Women's rights groups in Turkey are engaged in a heated fight against femicide and domestic violence. They consider the government as one of their main opponents. The government withdrew from the international Istanbul Convention three years ago, which challenges states to establish laws and rules to better protect women. The government claimed that the national regulations were already adequate.
Feminists denounce the withdrawal as a benefit to the perpetrators and lament that gender-based violence in Turkey is usually not adequately punished. The Turkish government does not disclose official statistics on violence against women. The platform "We Will Stop Female Murders" compiles femicides and questionable deaths of women since 2010. In just the first four months of this year, more than 120 women in Turkey were killed by men. In the same period in 2023, the number was close to 90.
