Implementing a Comprehensive and Coordinated Approach: An assessment of Poland’s response to prevent and combat gender-based violence

March 3, 2017

CEU Center for Policy Studies Research Fellow, Andrea Krizsan, co-authored a study with Eniko Pap for the Council of Europe "Implementing a Comprehensive and Coordinated Approach: An assessment of Poland’s response to prevent and combat gender-based violence".

Introduction

Gender-based violence is a complex and multi faceted phenomenon. As a result, any attempt to successfully prevent and combat gender-based violence requires well-designed and effectively implemented measures, which address all its dimensions. Research and best practice show that a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to preventing such violence, protecting the victims and prosecuting the perpetrators is most effective. Implementing policies or dealing with the different forms of violence against women in isolation is not sufficient to tackle such a deeply entrenched problem. Achieving the right balance between prevention, protection and prosecution, while prioritising victims' rights and needs, is therefore essential. Building on this recognition, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) requires States parties to devise and implement comprehensive and co-ordinated policies and measures which, combined, offer a holistic response to all forms of violence against women (Article 7).

The international normative framework has given rise to multiple forms of comprehensive and co-ordinated action. Among the Council of Europe member States, many different models and approaches exist for implementing such interventions. This study attempts to determine a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to gender-based violence, by examining its different, interrelated aspects more closely and by showcasing practical examples from Council of Europe member States. In light of these practices, the study identifies the strong points and deficiencies of comprehensive action taken to address violence against women in Poland. Poland ratified the Istanbul Convention on 27 April 2015; its subsequent implementation requires a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach. This study aims to facilitate this process by offering points for consideration in future policy debates.

Implementing a Comprehensive and Coordinated Approach: An assessment of Poland’s response to prevent and combat gender-based violence (Download)

The study is also available online at https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168064ecd8.

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