The first ever EU rules on combating violence against women and domestic violence entered into force. Violence against women and domestic violence affect an estimated one in three of the 228 million women in the EU. By criminalising certain forms of violence against women across the EU, including online, and strengthening victims’ access to justice, protection and support, the Directive aims to ensure the fundamental rights of equal treatment and non-discrimination between women and men.
The new rules are decisive against gender-based violence, and ban female genital mutilation, forced marriage and the most widespread forms of cyber violence, such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images (including deepfakes), cyber stalking and cyber harassment (including cyber flashing). Cyber violence is an urgent issue to address, given the exponential spread and dramatic impact of violence online. The new EU rules will help victims of cyber violence in Member States that did not yet criminalise these acts.
Member States have until 14 June 2027 to transpose the Directive into their national law. More information is available here.
Source: European Commission Representation in Cyprus | News (https://shorturl.at/emUCy)