EU plans to introduce same laws on violence against women across all member states

euronews.com:

The European Commission has unveiled plans to harmonise the criminalisation of violence against women across the 27-nation bloc.

The EU's executive arm has proposed making rape a criminal offence strictly when there is no consent, as well as other uniform punishments for female genital mutilation and cyber violence.

Most EU member states already treat violence against women and girls as a crime, but the Commission said there are gaps in national legislation.

While rape is criminalised across the bloc, 18 countries still require the use of force or threats for the offence to be punished.

The proposed directive unveiled by the European Commission on International Women’s Day also lays out targeted support from member countries to specific groups, including women fleeing armed conflict.

The issue has gained further prominence since Russia invaded Ukraine last month, forcing hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian women and children to flee their country and expose themselves to exploitation by human traffickers.

Helena Dalli, the EU Commissioner for Equality, said rape is being used “as a weapon of war” in Ukraine.

According to EU data, an average of one in three women in the bloc has experienced physical or sexual violence by the age of 15. In addition, one in two have experienced sexual harassment, with one in 20 women reporting having been raped.

The Commission proposed introducing a “minimum maximum sentence” of eight years in prison for rape and five years for female genital mutilation, with member countries entitled to impose higher maximum sentences.

“I want Europe to be at the side of women with protection and support," said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

"I want a society where violence against women is