Rape centre ‘disappointed’ at EU Directive call
THE Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has said the European’s Council’s decision to exclude rape from the EU’S forthcoming Directive on Combatting Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence is bitterly disappointing.
DRCC’S chief Rachel Morrogh said it was a backward step in the campaign to end violence against women.
She added: “DRCC is disappointed that the heinous crime of rape is being excluded from the new EU Directive on
Combating Violence Against Women. We believe this will deepen and widen inequalities that already exist across Europe.
“It illustrates that barriers to progress were greater than the courage of some Member States to overcome them.
“Including rape in the Directive was important for both legal and symbolic reasons and its exclusion sends a clear signal to victims and survivors across Europe that it is not a political priority.
“DRCC believes that the obstacles to the Directive were not insurmountable and therefore the Council’s decision to exclude this crime reflects a concerning belief that rape is an expendable provision.
“Rather than reflecting the backing given by both the EU Parliament and Commission to its inclusion, the Heads of State who make up the European Council decided that including rape was negotiable and unnecessary.
“Ultimately, the people most affected are those living in countries that have not legislated for a consent-based definition of rape. The inclusion of rape in this
Directive would have demonstrated that Member States stand strong and united for equality and justice and against sexual violence.
“Its omission goes further than a missed opportunity, it sends a very disheartening message to all victims of sexual violence right across the EU.”
DRCC had in recent weeks called for a consent-based definition of rape to be included in the Directive, following concerns raised by MEP Frances
Fitzgerald that some countries in Europe, including Ireland, had not decided on the issue.