The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) AN OVERVIEW

WHY A CONVENTION… … on violence against women and domestic violence?

European challenges Male-oriented or gender-neutral laws not taking into account the realities of women Different levels of protection and support Insufficient funding of services Lack of multi-agency co-operation Protection and support services not meeting the needs of victims Negative and discriminatory attitudes towards women victims from the police, judiciary or social services.

Who does the Convention cover? The Convention covers women and girls, from any background, regardless of their age, race, religion, social origin, association with a national minority, migrant status or sexual orientation, etc. The Convention recognises that there are groups of women and girls that are often at greater risk of experiencing violence, and states need to ensure that their specific needs are taken into account. The Convention recognises that domestic violence affects women disproportionately.

Current progress Ratifications: 22 Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey Signatories: 22 Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Norway, Slovakia, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine and United Kingdom

Holistic approach to combating violence against women INTEGRATED POLICIES PREVENTION Istanbul Convention PROTECTION PROSECUTION

Integrated policies obligation to adopt and implement comprehensive and co-ordinated policies to offer a holistic response to violence against women obligation to involve all relevant actors: government agencies, judicial authorities, NGOs and civil society, national human rights institutions, etc.

prevention Regularly run awareness-raising campaigns Tackle attitudes, prejudices, gender roles and stereotypes through teaching material Actively engage men and boys Work closely with NGOs, civil society organisations, the private sector and the media ➨ Address a culture where acts of violence against women are condoned or justified

Protection and support services set up shelters in sufficient numbers and in wide geographical distribution ensure that general support services can support or refer victims of all forms of violence against women introduce free-of-charge 24/7 telephone helplines that ensure confidentiality ensure access to clear information in several languages set up rape crisis centres or sexual assault referral centres

VICTIMS’ SAFETY COMES FIRST Obligation to introduce emergency barring orders Obligation to introduce restraining and protection orders Obligation to take into consideration any known incidents of violence against women (in particular domestic violence) when deciding over custody or visitation rights

Prosecution (1) Criminalises the following forms of VAW: physical, sexual and psychological violence Sexual assault and rape Stalking Forced marriage Female genital mutilation Forced abortion and forced sterilisation Criminalises or otherwise sanctions sexual harassment Tackles crimes in the name of so-called “honour” Ex parte and ex officio proceedings

Prosecution (2) Empowering victims through judicial proceedings Protecting their image and privacy Allowing counselors to accompany victims Separate waiting rooms Allow victims to testify without being present Free legal aid Prohibit mandatory conciliation and mediation

Professionalism and awareness Victim-centred approach: rights and needs of the victims at the heart of all interventions Gender-based understanding of violence Risk assessment and management to keep the victim safe Avoid secondary victimisation Time is important: Immediate response, prevention and protection

Impact of the istanbul convention The effects of the Istanbul Convention on national policy and legislation can already be seen: Trend towards criminalising more forms of violence against women (stalking, FGM, forced marriage) More countries setting up co-ordinating bodies Large scale training initiatives

First evaluation Procedure GREVIO’s baseline questionnaire State report + NGO and other information Examination by GREVIO with state representatives Country visit GREVIO’s report and findings Transmission to state party Transmission to Committee of the Parties Transmission to national parliament Adoption of recommendations by Committee of the Parties?

Special inquiry procedure Serious, massive or persistent pattern of violence Special state report Inquiry by one or more members of GREVIO Country visit? Transmission of the findings Committee of the Parties and Committee of Ministers Examination of the findings by GREVIO

First evaluation procedure initiated in relation to Austria Monaco State reports received on 1 September 2016 Next state parties to be monitored: Albania Denmark State reports to be received in January 2017

NGOS AND CIVIL SOCIETY: GREVIO’S SOURCES OF INFORMATION What does the Convention say? Article 68 (5): GREVIO may receive information on the implementation of the Convention from non-governmental organisations and civil society What do GREVIO’s Rules of Procedure say? Rule 35 (1): GREVIO may invite non-governmental organisations and other members of civil society active in the areas of concern to GREVIO, in particular women’s organisations, national coalitions of organisations and national branches of international non-governmental organisations, to provide it with information in relation to […] a questionnaire […].

HOW BEST TO BE HEARD BY GREVIO? Drawing-up of a shadow report following the examination of GREVIO’s baseline questionnaire (made public in March 2016) Provision of additional information following the examination of State reports (published, as a rule, following reception) co-ordination at European and national level sharing resources, experiences and expertise N.B. check the web site for reporting deadlines but be assured that we are happy to receive information at any time during the monitoring procedure

HOW BEST TO BE HEARD BY GREVIO? (2) Country visits GREVIO delegation will seek to meet NGOs/civil society representatives on the ground during country evaluation visits.

HOW BEST TO BE HEARD BY GREVIO? (3) Be the first to warn GREVIO in case of serious violations of the Convention GREVIO may decide to evaluate the situation in a State Party as a matter of priority; GREVIO may request a State Party to provide it with a special report and may initiate an inquiry procedure.

For further information and contacts: THANK YOU! For further information and contacts: www.coe.int/conventionviolence www.coe.int/web/istanbul-convention conventionviolence@coe.int