The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Violence against Women (GREVIO) has published its first report evaluating Liechtenstein’s implementation of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”). The report highlights a series of positive measures taken by the authorities in recent years in order to criminalise domestic violence and non-consensual sexual relations, reduce secondary victimisation in the justice sector and protect child victims in all proceedings.
At the same time, GREVIO has identified a number of issues where improvement is needed in Liechtenstein to enhance compliance with the convention. Liechtenstein currently has no strategic framework to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. In addition, there is no dedicated women’s helpline. Liechtenstein is also lagging behind in the area of data collection, in particular in the justice sector where there are no data available on the number of convictions in this area, on the sentences handed down and on whether the sentences imposed on perpetrators are effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
In conclusion, GREVIO underlines that it is necessary to bridge the gap between the strong legal framework and the practices on the ground. The report has been published together with the comments submitted by the Liechtenstein government.
