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EU Institutions Agree on New Law Confirming Access to Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare for Survivors of Sexual Violence

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GENEVA, 11.12.2025—The Center for Reproductive Rights welcomes the inclusion of binding guarantees for sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors of sexual violence in new EU legislation on victims’ rights. The law confirms that survivors must be able to access essential services across all Member States.

EU institutions struck a deal on the revised Victims’ Rights Directive today. The agreed text will now go to the European Parliament and Council for final approval before being officially adopted.

Building on the groundbreaking inclusion of sexual and reproductive healthcare in the EU Directive on violence against women and domestic violence in 2024, the new legislation again confirms that survivors of violence must be able to obtain this essential care in accordance with national law.

In a historic milestone, the new legislation will clearly spell out the sexual and reproductive healthcare which must be available to victims of sexual violence, including access to safe abortion, emergency contraception, post-exposure prophylaxis treatment, and testing for sexually transmitted infections. Embedding these obligations in legislation covering all victims of crime ensures robust legal protection for survivors of sexual violence across the EU.

“The affirmation of sexual and reproductive rights in EU law and the confirmation of these obligations sends a powerful message,” said Katrine Thomasen, Associate Director for Europe at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “Survivors of sexual violence must be able to access comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare, including emergency contraception and abortion care. The EU is steadily building a legal framework that recognises  this care as essential for survivors to receive without delay.”

The Center for Reproductive Rights urges the European Parliament and Council to move swiftly to officially endorse the Directive and ensure rapid implementation so that the commitments set out in law translate into effective access to care for survivors across the EU.

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