Cyber violence against women and girls
27.11.2017
Question for written answer E-007255-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Viorica Dăncilă (S&D)
Cyber violence against women and girls (VAWG) has received increasing attention along with the widespread use of social and online media. As the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) states[1], it is estimated that one in ten women have already experienced a form of cyber violence since the age of 15.
The ratification of the Istanbul Convention by the Member States will accelerate the review of existing legislation on VAWG. However, at EU level, there is a lack of gender-segregated data and analysis on cyber VAWG, and the phenomenon has not been fully conceptualised or legislated against. Moreover, studies indicate that effective EU policy interventions are required in order to enable Member States’ criminal justice systems to adequately respond to it[2].
1. Would the Commission consider initiating further research and collecting gender-segregated data on cyber VAWG at EU level?
2. Would it consider fully conceptualising and legislating against cyber VAWG at EU level? What efforts need to be made to achieve these goals?
3. What further instruments will the Commission develop to enable criminal justice authorities in the Member States to better respond to cyber VAWG?