The Council of Europe says in a new report Expert Group on Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) Welcome Spanish authorities’ continued efforts and progress to prevent and combat violence against women. GREVIO also highlighted areas where urgent action is needed to bring the country into full compliance with the Istanbul Convention, particularly Improved training of professionals working with victims and perpetrators of violence against womenIncluding the judiciary.
GREVIO said Spanish authorities have continued to expand the legislative and policy framework to prevent and combat violence against women, in particular by adopting the Framework Act on the Comprehensive Guarantee of Sexual Freedom, which criminalizes all sexual acts with private individuals in 2022. I acknowledge the point. A person who has not given free consent.
Other positive steps include the adoption of the Joint Multiannual Plan on Violence Against Women (2023-2027), and the ongoing setting up of practical steps to expand the scope of policies and services for other forms of violence against women other than intimate partner violence. . We operate a 24-hour comprehensive support center for victims of sexual violence across the country. Funding allocations to prevent and combat violence against women have steadily increased.
There has been a significant improvement in law enforcement’s approach to victims of violence against women, particularly in specialist units. Despite this progress, GREVIO urges authorities to take a number of steps to ensure support, protection and justice for victims of violence against women and domestic violence.
GREVIO urges Spanish authorities to strengthen the training of all professionals working with victims and perpetrators of violence against women on all forms of violence and to address the specific needs of women belonging to vulnerable groups. This training should be provided to judicial, law enforcement, social service, medical, and educational professionals.
GREVIO also calls on authorities to ensure mandatory training for judges presiding over cases involving custody and visitation on the negative impact witnessing violence against women has on children and the nature and dynamics of domestic violence.
GREVIO observes with particular concern that migrant and refugee women, women with disabilities and women living in rural areas are disproportionately represented among victims of gender-based violence and calls on authorities to strengthen efforts to provide them with protection and support. I urge you.
Lastly, GREVIO is concerned about the increasing number of reports of gang rapes, which occur at very young ages for both perpetrators and victims. This is exacerbated when accessing contextualized discussions about gender, gender equality, non-stereotypical gender roles, mutual respect and gender-based violence and the impact of violent pornography on young men who commit such crimes in Spain and elsewhere. We emphasize that it does happen. Women’s rights are limited and their right to personal integrity is limited.
