In a new thematic report published today, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), calls on the Monegasque authorities to adopt a long-term strategy to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women, to strengthen support for victims and to facilitate their access to justice. 

The report begins by highlighting the positive measures taken by the authorities since GREVIO's baseline assessment in 2017, particularly on legislative developments, such as the reform of the Criminal Code, which led to amendments to the provisions regarding incrimination for sexual assault and a major law on combating bullying and violence in schools.

The Monegasque authorities have also stepped-up efforts to raise public awareness. Following the creation of the Committee to Promote and Safeguard Women’s Rights, communication between the various government sectors and with civil society, as well as the coordination of actions, have been improved, and various groups of professionals have been formed. GREVIO also welcomes the fact that social workers and psychologists are systematically made available to victims of violence in various services.

While acknowledging the progress made by Monaco in implementing the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence ("Istanbul Convention"), GREVIO also identifies a number of shortcomings and makes recommendations.

The authorities should develop a long-term comprehensive strategy offering a set of policies to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women and including an intersectional approach. In addition, they should put in place accountability programmes for perpetrators of violence to prevent re-offending. There is also a need to set up a 24/7 national, specialist helpline for women victims and a specialised crisis centre for victims of sexual violence. Lastly, it is essential to take measures to protect the rights and interests of victims during investigations and judicial proceedings.

Among other measures, GREVIO invites the Monegasque authorities to continue to develop the collection of data on all forms of violence against women, continue efforts with regard to initial and in-service training for professionals in contact with women victims of violence. The Monegasque authorities are also invited to allocate sufficient resources to programmes and measures to prevent and combat violence against women, to strengthen the capacity to systematically detect cases of violence against women, to consider the possibility of setting up a system to offer priority access to independent housing for women victims of violence, and to expand the use of emergency barring and protection orders. 

Lastly, GREVIO observes that many women, in particular non-Monegasque women, who are victims of violence are highly dependent on their abusive partners and are particularly vulnerable to economic and/or psychological violence, and that this is an emerging trend.

 GREVIO and Monaco

 Government comments (in French only)