The Council of Europe has just released a video-clip to raise awareness for domestic violence
Across Europe…
20-25% of women have experienced physical violence at least once in their adult lives
more than 10% have suffered sexual violence involving the use of force
12-15% of women over 16 suffer domestic abuse in relationship
40- 50% experience unwanted sexual advancements, physical contact or other form of sexual harassment in their workplace.
To help national authorities to create a “zero tolerance zone” for violence against women and domestic violence, the Council of Europe has drafted the Istanbul Convention. This powerful legal tool obliges governments to take specific steps to prevent violence against women, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators (Read The Council of Europe Istanbul Convention: A tool to end Violence Against Women ).
The Convention was adopted by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on 7 April 2011 and it needs 10 ratifications to enter into force, eight of which must be member states of the Council of Europe. Now that 10 countries have ratified it, the Convention will become effective on 1 August this year (Read our post on this subject).