Across the European Union, one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15. One in ten have experienced some form of sexual violence and one in twenty have been raped. PES Women’s message is clear: we need a dedicated EU-wide directive tackling violence against women that addresses rape.
Today’s call for action by PES Women Executive members comes ahead of International Human Rights Day (10 December) which calls for freedom, equality and justice for all. For PES Women, there cannot be freedom, equality and justice for all in Europe or around the world while violence against women prevails.
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November) PES Women launched its campaign #NoYesNoExcuse which calls for consent-based legislation on rape and sexual assault and puts forward demands focused on ending gender-based violence.
PES Women supports the European Parliament and Commission’s proposal for an ambitious directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. As it stands, some members of the Council of the European Union are rejecting the inclusion of a consent-based definition of rape in the proposed legislation.
PES Women Executive members urge all EU governments to take action and defend women’s rights by agreeing to a consent-based definition of rape in the directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. PES Women President, Zita Gurmai, said:
“For years our progressive family have been pushing for dedicated EU legislation that tackles gender-based violence and violence against women. The directive on violence against women and domestic violence must show women in the EU that women’s rights and safety are our priority. With a rise in anti-democratic campaigns pushing back against women’s rights and gender equality, we need every legal tool at our disposal.
“PES Women is firm in our position that only yes means yes. We cannot have EU legislation on violence against women without the inclusion of rape. Let’s ensure the strength of the directive to protect women from all forms of violence, including rape.”
At EU level, PES Women calls for definitions of rape and sexual assault based on consent; the criminalisation of rape and sexual assault, online and off; and making rape, sexual assault, hate crimes and hate speech Euro crimes.
