MEPs call for a directive to combat violence against women

Rape and other sexual violence against women should be recognised as a crime throughout the EU, and its perpetrators prosecuted automatically, said the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee on Tuesday, in a resolution calling for an EU directive to combat gender-based violence.

The committee calls for a criminal-law instrument in the form of an EU directive against gender-based violence.

20-25% of all women in Europe have experienced physical acts of violence at least once during their adult lives, and more than one-tenth have suffered sexual violence involving the use of force, notes the resolution.

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