Measuring Progress in Addressing Violence Against Women Across Europe

• NCJ Number: 225512
• Journal: International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 2008 Pages: 149-172
• Author(s): Carol Hagemann-White
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey; Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For other articles in this special issue, see NCJ-225511 and NCJ-225513-19.

Annotation

Based on data derived from monitoring the implementation of a comprehensive Recommendation adopted in 2002 by the Council of Europe, this study describes a process of convergence in policy among member countries in addressing violence against women (VAW), but within the context of a variety of legal frameworks and institutional cultures that give distinctive shape to the actual implementation of measures against VAW.

Abstract

Recommendation Rec (2002)5 on the protection of women against violence, which was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (47 member states) in April 2002, presents a comprehensive approach toward reducing VAW. It represents a consensus among member countries on general principles and describes essential services, legislation, policing, work with perpetrators, awareness-raising, education and training, and data collection. Recently, a pan-European campaign to combat VAW, including domestic violence, was completed. Based on data that have monitored the implementation of the Recommendation, approximately 85 percent of member states have used the Recommendation as a framework for addressing VAW. Different patterns of implementation are emerging, however; for example, in countries that have a history of militaristic dictatorships (Germany and Spain), there is a preference for transforming cultural values that have emphasized masculinity. The Nordic countries, which have a tradition of rugged individualism, are skeptical of an emphasis on policing as a means of attaining compliance with policies against VAW. Such cultural and historical factors are influencing the choices and shaping of policy instruments and possibly the effectiveness of the methods used. Monitoring data were obtained from a questionnaire completed by appropriate officials in each country, legislative data, published governmental documents, data from nongovernmental organizations, and evaluations of practice. 1 figure, 32 notes, and 25 references