In its first thematic evaluation report on Italy, published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of experts on action against violence against women and domestic violence (GREVIO) welcomes the significant expansion and the development of the country’s legislative framework on violence against women, clearly demonstrating a commitment to the implementation of the Istanbul Convention. At the same time, the report highlights areas that require further measures to fully comply with the standards of the Convention. The report covers developments since the publication of GREVIO’s baseline evaluation report on Italy on 13 January 2020 until 14 October 2025.
The positive legislative developments highlighted in today’s report include: a new law on gender-based violence statistics, which aims to ensure comprehensive data collection and support evidence-based policies; reforms on criminal proceedings introducing the requirement to appoint dedicated prosecutors for offences under the scope of the Convention; and the obligation to publish national guidelines on training for all professionals in this area. Other positive legislative steps include the possibility to fast-track family law proceedings where allegations of domestic violence are made, the enhancement of the investigative powers of the judge dealing with such proceedings and the strengthening of coordination between such judges, prosecutors and other criminal justice actors.
GREVIO also commends the adoption of two subsequent national action plans on men’s violence against women, anchored in a gendered perspective and offering a comprehensive set of policies, including the more recent National Action Plan on Violence against Women and Domestic Violence with its related Implementation Plan (covering 2025 – 2026).
The report also welcomes the measures taken to enhance the criminal justice response to violence against women and strengthen victims’ trust in institutions. These include the launch of a new application (Youpol) facilitating the reporting of acts of violence to the police through digital means, and the newly introduced obligation to record on video interviews with vulnerable victims.
Despite the progress made, GREVIO observes that additional financial resources are needed for the implementation of criminal justice reforms that have introduced the fast-tracking of proceedings relating to violence against women. Likewise, measures are needed to simplify and expedite the disbursement of adequate funding to anti-violence centres and shelters and to harmonise criteria for their disbursement.
In light of the increase in sexual violence against girls and the growing consumption of violent pornography by children, in Italy as elsewhere, GREVIO underlines the need for preventive action adapted to the evolving capacity of learners in line with Article 14 of the Istanbul Convention. GREVIO also calls upon the authorities to ensure mandatory training on violence against women for a range of professionals, including criminal justice actors.
The report notes that there are high levels of dismissals and attrition rates for cases of domestic violence and stalking, for example. Moreover, trials continue to be long and, where they end with a conviction, sanctions are not always proportionate or dissuasive. Furthermore, victims continue to experience secondary victimisation because of gender stereotypes and prejudices. In the report, GREVIO also expresses concern on the way restorative justice is used in cases of domestic violence, rape, stalking and murder, underscoring the need to proceed with caution when proposing and accepting such processes and calling for the systematic application of a number of safeguards, including: the carrying out of a risk assessment on the suitability in such cases; the provision of full information on the aims, consequence and non-mandatory nature of restorative justice; the verification by judges that the victims consents to such procedure; legal representation when such decisions are taken; and dedicated training for mediators working in restorative justice centres.
Shortcomings with regards to laws and practice relating to custody and visitation rights are also discussed in the report, which calls on the Italian authorities, among other things, to ensure that instances of domestic violence are a mandatory legal criterion to be systematically taken into account when deciding on custody and visitation.
“I welcome the recent Italian Parliament’s unanimous vote to make feminicide a crime. This important step marks a cultural shift in how we view and address violence against women and domestic violence. Protecting women and girls from violence is not just a legal obligation; it is a moral imperative”, said Secretary General Alain Berset.
Today’s report has been published together with the Italian authorities’ comments.
GREVIO is the independent expert body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”) by the Parties. Open for signature to any country in the world in addition to the 46 Council of Europe member states, the treaty has been ratified so far by 38 states and the European Union, and signed by another six.
