ECHR Case Law On Violence Against Women

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Case law on violence against women from the European Court of Human Rights provides a powerful incentive for the Council of Europe’s 47 member states to sign and ratify a new anti-violence treaty to be unveiled next year.

The draft treaty combating violence against women and domestic violence is being discussed today in Strasbourg by delegates from across Europe.


The Facts

Surveys estimate that up to 25 per cent of women in Europe have experienced physical violence at least once during their adult lives.

More than 10 per cent have suffered sexual violence involving the use of force.

Figures for all forms of violence, including stalking are as high as 45 per cent.

The majority of such violent acts are carried out by men in their immediate social environment, most often by partners and ex-partners.

Conservative estimates suggest that up to 15 per cent of women have been in a relationship characterized by domestic abuse after the age of 16.


The CoE Response

The Council of Europe’s convention will establish, for the first time in Europe, legally binding standards to prevent violence against women and domestic violence, protect the victims and punish the perpetrators.

The convention frames the eradication of violence against women in the wider context of achieving real equality between women and men and furthers the recognition of violence against women as a form discrimination

ECHR case law on violence against women