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Frequently asked questions 1. Why is the Council of Europe carrying out an entire campaign against domestic violence – and why now?
1. Why is the Council of Europe carrying out an entire campaign against domestic violence – and why now? Despite positive developments in law, policies and practices to combat violence against women in its various forms, it is still widespread in Council of Europe member states. Significant numbers of women continue to suffer domestic abuse in their immediate social environment, most often by partners or ex-partners. The Council of Europe Campaign to Combat Violence against Women, including Domestic Violence, is a contribution to eradicating this phenomenon by raising awareness about this issue and urging member states to actively do something about it. 2. What exactly is domestic violence? For the purpose of this Campaign, violence against women occurring in the family or domestic unit is to be understood as any act of gender-based violence, which results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty. It includes physical and mental aggression, emotional and psychological abuse, rape and sexual abuse, incest, rape between spouses, regular or occasional partners and cohabitants, crimes committed in the name of honour, female genital and sexual mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, such as forced marriages. For more information, see About domestic violence. 3. Is domestic violence related to particular cultures, traditions or religions? Domestic violence occurs in every Council of Europe member state and beyond. It is a universal phenomenon, which takes place irrespective of social, economic, religious or cultural background of the perpetrator. Gender stereotypes and discriminatory practices in society based on cultures, traditions or religions may make it more acceptable, but cannot be considered its cause. Perpetrators choose to exert power and control over others and are wholly responsible for their behaviour. 4. What causes violent behaviour by intimate partners? There are no simple explanations. Research indicates that domestic violence is rooted in unequal power relations between the sexes. Violent partners resort to abuse and threatening behaviour to exert control and power over women. Perceived transgressions of gender roles or disobedience may spark abusive behaviour. While it may be aggravated by alcoholism, it is neither caused by substance abuse nor mental health problems. Violent behaviour is often learnt and repeated from one generation to another as a way of handling personal relations. 5. Are men not affected by domestic violence? While it is true that women may also behave violently towards their male partners and that domestic violence also happens in same-sex partnerships, the majority of violent acts are carried out by men in their immediate social environment, most often towards female partners or ex-partners. The Council of Europe has, however, studied the various roles men may adopt in the context of domestic violence. For more information on its work on men as victims, please see Violence within the family: the place and role of men. 6. Why is violence against women not a private problem? Domestic violence is a crime. Victims of domestic violence must be afforded as much protection and help by the criminal justice system and governmental institutions as other victims of crime. Just because it happens in the privacy of the home does not mean it is not a state responsibility. 7. Why is violence against women a human rights violation? States have a responsibility to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of all their citizens. Therefore, states must ensure that they have taken all reasonable measures to prevent, investigate and punish all forms of violence against women, including in the family and domestic unit. If the police, criminal justice system and governmental services do not respond to women seeking help, states have failed to fulfil this obligation. 8. How does violence against women affect society as a whole? Domestic violence does not only have an important personal and social cost, but also an economic cost. A number of studies undertaken in Council of Europe member states have revealed that the estimated annual cost could be as high as 34 billion euros per country; the ratio between the estimated annual cost and the population of the country being as high as 555 euros per capita per annum.
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