On 2 and 3 June 2026, the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the European Network for the Work with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence (WWP EN), organised a conference in Budapest, Hungary: “Toward effective perpetrator programmes in line with European standards: Bridging policy, practice and co-operation for impactful programmes for perpetrators of domestic violence”. The conference was part of the Ending violence against women: multi-country programme.
More than 100 participants, from around 20 countries, included representatives of public authorities, law enforcement and justice professionals, practitioners, probation and prison services, social services, specialist women’s support services, civil society organisations, researchers and international experts.
Discussions focused on the implementation of Article 16 of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). This Article requires Parties to establish and support perpetrator programmes aimed at preventing further violence and promoting behavioural change, while ensuring that victim safety remains central. The role of such programmes within a coordinated multi-agency response to domestic violence is key.
Participants exchanged experiences and good practices on the design and delivery of perpetrator programmes in line with the Council of Europe Guidance for safe and effective perpetrator programmes: Article 16 of the Istanbul Convention and the European standards for perpetrator programmes. Discussions addressed cooperation with specialist victim support services, risk assessment and management, monitoring and evaluation, and conditions for effective implementation.
The conference included thematic workshops and a World Café session, providing space for peer learning and exchange on national practices and approaches to strengthening cooperation, quality standards and effectiveness of perpetrator programmes.
The event underlined the importance of evidence-based, coordinated and victim-centred approaches as part of comprehensive efforts to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence across Europe.
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