Research has shown that between 12% and 15% of women in Europe face violence in the home each day. This startling fact lead the Council of Europe to commence a campaign to criminalize domestic violence, provide support for victims and promote new attitudes which assert that domestic violence will not be tolerated. The campaign to combat domestic violence was initiated in 2004 and is currently halfway through its originally intended duration. Members of the Council of Europe wanted to evaluate their progress with the campaign and assigned rapporteur José Mendes Bota to research this matter. While the initial feedback is positive, Mr. Mendes Bota believes that more needs to be done to implement and improve laws which defend women and to ensure their proper enforcement. Mr. Mendes Bota suggested increasing coordination among regional groupings, the European Parliament, young people and NGOs.
Compiled from: Campaign on Domestic Violence: Much Achieved, More Work to Do, Council of Europe, 4 June 2007; It starts with Screams but Must Never End in Silence, Stop Domestic Violence Against Women, Council of Europe, 2002.