EU institutions endorse new law guaranteeing access to sexual and reproductive health care for survivors of sexual violence
15.02.24 (STATEMENT) – The Center for Reproductive Rights welcomes the groundbreaking inclusion of legal guarantees for access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors of sexual violence in new EU legislation on violence against women.
This week, EU Member States formally endorsed the agreement reached between the EU institutions on a new EU Directive on violence against women and domestic violence. The Directive will now move to the European Parliament for approval.
For the first time, EU legislation will explicitly require Member States to guarantee access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors of sexual violence and will specify that every Member State must provide for the inclusion of the clinical management of rape in victim support services. As specified by WHO guidelines, clinical management of rape protocols include ensuring survivors are provided with emergency contraception, post exposure prophylaxis and abortion care in accordance with national law. The Directive will also provide EU legal protection for the rights of victims of gender-based violence in other critical areas, including access to justice and accountability and will also require Member States to step up measures to prevent violence against women. The Center calls on Member States to move swiftly to implement the Directive and ensure that all victims receive essential healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health care, without delay.
During negotiations Member States failed to reach agreement on provisions to criminalize rape under EU law as part of the Directive and to explicitly acknowledge that certain groups are at particular risk of violence such as undocumented migrant and lesbian, bisexual and transgender women and intersex persons. As a result, EU institutions need to step up their efforts to strengthen EU law on violence against women in the next political cycle. and renew their political will to effectively prevent, protect and redress all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
The Center for Reproductive Rights, together with other civil society organisations, during the negotiations have urged the European Parliament and EU Member States to seize the historic opportunity and adopt a Directive to provide robust protection against violence against women and support to victims. Please see our joint civil society position highlighting key recommendations regarding the Directive.
Related Posts
2021 EU-NGO Human Rights Forum to Feature Center Executives
2021 EU-NGO Human Rights Forum to feature executives from the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Manifesto for an inclusive and comprehensive EU gender-based violence policy
International and European networks and organisations have adopted a manifesto for an inclusive EU law and policy.
2024-2029: Priorities for EU Action to Advance Gender Equality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
The Center's report recommending actions by EU institutions to ensure continued progress on gender equality and SRHR.
