The European Union has published a video reaffirming the importance of the Istanbul Convention, across Europe and beyond.
The EU and the Council of Europe will reinforce their co-operation and continue to work together to end gender-based violence against women and promote gender equality.
On 11 October 2023, the Platform of Independent Expert Mechanisms on Discrimination and Violence against Women (EDVAW Platform), including GREVIO, published a joint statement on International Day of the Girl Child.
Experts call for safe and inclusive digital spaces, free from online violence and harassment, so that girl's potential, well-being and prosperity can be attained.
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In the summer of 2024, the convention will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its entry into force.
Joining forces around the 10th anniversary of the Istanbul Convention! Explore the dedicated website.
Information on the Conference "Gender equality and the Istanbul Convention: a decade of action" that took place on 11 May 2021.
The criminalisation of sexual violence, including rape
The 4th General Report on GREVIO´s activities, published online on 21 September 2023, features an extremely timely “Focus section” addressing sexual violence, including rape, which represents one of the most under-reported forms of violence against women, characterised by high attrition rates, at the investigation and prosecution stages and few convictions, which lead to a culture of impunity. The Focus section shows the evolution of legislation, policies and support services in this area across states parties, and how the convention and GREVIO’s monitoring activity are contributing to these positive changes. The report describes the existing approaches in the criminalisation of sexual violence/rape, including:
- on the basis of the use of force, coercion or vulnerability;
- the two-tiered approach, whereby a legal provision requiring the use of force threat or coercion coexists with a parallel offence based entirely on lack of consent;
- the “no means no” model, requiring proof that the sexual act was committed against the will of a person; and
- the “only yes is yes” or “affirmative consent” model, in which the voluntary participation of all parties is required for sexual acts not to be criminalised.
The Focus section identifies the state parties that have adopted these approaches, finding that while a significant number of parties continue to require the use of violence/coercion as constituent elements of sexual offences, law reform efforts in an increasing number of countries indicate a move towards the “only yes is yes” model.
