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OPINION (COM(2022)0105 – C90058/2022 – 2022/0066(COD))

On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council combating violence against women and domestic violence

BUDG-AD-739787

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Alexandra Geese

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The Committee on Budgets gives its opinion on the proposed directive combating violence against women and domestic violence, focusing on financing victim support, EU agencies and data collection. It proposes that specialist support services meet minimum standards from the Istanbul Convention, be geographically distributed, free of charge and available without a formal complaint, including support against cyber violence. It asks for sufficient EU and national funding for victim support and prevention, including under the next Multiannual Financial Framework, and for resources for the European Institute of Gender Equality and Eurostat. It recommends that member states collect detailed, comparable data on gender-based violence and support services, coordinated by the Commission, Eurostat and the European Institute of Gender Equality. It sets minimum numbers of rape crisis or sexual violence referral centres and family places, and requires training for professionals and cooperation with civil society organisations.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgets welcomes the Commission proposal and proposes amendments to strengthen financing for victim support, EU agencies and data collection, and to set minimum standards for support services.

Key points

  1. The opinion focuses on financing victim support and relevant EU agencies, and on reporting and data collection.
  2. It welcomes the Commission proposal to strengthen victims' rights and align EU law with international standards such as the Istanbul Convention.
  3. Specialist support services should comply with minimum standards from the Istanbul Convention, including shelters, counselling, rape crisis centres and helplines.
  4. The EU should provide sufficient financial and human resources for victim support and prevention, with dedicated budget resources under the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
  5. Member states should collect detailed data on gender-based violence and support measures, coordinated by the Commission, Eurostat and the European Institute of Gender Equality in a standardised, machine-readable format.
  6. The European Institute of Gender Equality and Eurostat should receive the necessary human and financial resources for these additional tasks.
  7. Member states should encourage cooperation between intermediary service providers, authorities and civil society organisations, including trusted flaggers, to remove illegal material and support victims of cyber violence.
  8. Specialist support services must be geographically distributed, free of charge, available at the earliest possible stage, and offered in person and online.
  9. Support should include advice on legal matters, housing, education, childcare and employment, referrals to medical care and rape crisis centres, and support for victims of cyber violence including IT hardware checks.
  10. Member states must ensure adequate human and financial resources for these services, including when provided by non-governmental organisations.
  11. Member states must ensure a minimum of one rape crisis or sexual violence referral centre per 200 000 inhabitants and a minimum of one family place per 10 000 heads of population.
  12. Member states must ensure round-the-clock telephone helplines free of charge with sufficient capacity, and professionals likely to come into contact with victims and offenders must receive training.

Who is affected

  • Victims of gender-based violence, domestic violence and cyber violence, who would receive specialist support services.
  • Member states, which must provide funding, collect data and ensure minimum numbers of support centres and family places.
  • EU agencies, in particular the European Institute of Gender Equality and Eurostat, which would receive resources and coordinate data collection.
  • Non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations, which would provide services and be consulted.
  • Professionals such as law enforcement authorities, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, healthcare and social service staff, who must receive training.

Figures and deadlines

  • € 290 billion: estimated costs of gender-based violence against women in the EU for the year 2019.
  • one rape crisis or sexual violence referral centre per 200 000 inhabitants: minimum required by member states.
  • one family place per 10 000 heads of population: minimum required by member states.
  • 24/7: telephone helplines that member states must set up.
  • six months after the entry into force of this Directive: deadline for the Commission to publish guidance on data collection.
  • five years after the entry into force of this Directive: deadline for member states to communicate information to the Commission.