ID :
182911
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 13:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/182911
The shortlink copeid
Violence against Women in West
TEHRAN, May 18 (FNA)- Every day, women in Europe fall victim to one of the most flagrant abuses of their human rights - the right to live without violence.
It might be the stranger lurking in the back alley: much more likely it is the partner, relative, friend or colleague - for most violence against women is carried out by someone they know.
Crime statistics show that one woman in four has been attacked at some time in their lives and that at least 15 per cent of all European women have experienced domestic violence in a relationship after the age of 16. With domestic violence still very much a hidden crime, the real figure is sure to be higher. Other forms of violence - such as stalking, forced marriage, forced abortions, and forced sterilization - still pass largely unrecorded.
Conviction rates for any type of violence against women are notoriously low. When police pick up a case, on average there are 35 previous incidents to take into account. And law enforcement agents do not always possess the required expertise to produce the evidence necessary to see perpetrators brought to justice. Is it any wonder that convictions are rare?
Governments throughout Europe are recognizing the challenge, but have fallen short of action. Some have now set up refuges for abused women, some have criminalized harassment. Others use restraining orders, counseling or mediation services, or expel the violent partner from the home. Practices differ from country to country, with no clear legislative model - leaving Europe's women vulnerable to a crime that should have passed into the history books years ago.
Given the mottos chanted by Europe about its pioneering role in the protection of human rights throughout the world, is this the utopia that the western society is calling everyone to?
It might be the stranger lurking in the back alley: much more likely it is the partner, relative, friend or colleague - for most violence against women is carried out by someone they know.
Crime statistics show that one woman in four has been attacked at some time in their lives and that at least 15 per cent of all European women have experienced domestic violence in a relationship after the age of 16. With domestic violence still very much a hidden crime, the real figure is sure to be higher. Other forms of violence - such as stalking, forced marriage, forced abortions, and forced sterilization - still pass largely unrecorded.
Conviction rates for any type of violence against women are notoriously low. When police pick up a case, on average there are 35 previous incidents to take into account. And law enforcement agents do not always possess the required expertise to produce the evidence necessary to see perpetrators brought to justice. Is it any wonder that convictions are rare?
Governments throughout Europe are recognizing the challenge, but have fallen short of action. Some have now set up refuges for abused women, some have criminalized harassment. Others use restraining orders, counseling or mediation services, or expel the violent partner from the home. Practices differ from country to country, with no clear legislative model - leaving Europe's women vulnerable to a crime that should have passed into the history books years ago.
Given the mottos chanted by Europe about its pioneering role in the protection of human rights throughout the world, is this the utopia that the western society is calling everyone to?
