Echoes of pain behind closed doors: recommendations for European governments for addressing and combatting intimate partner violence

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) signifies the abusive behaviour of one person towards another within a physical, emotional, and sexual relationship. This form of violence disproportionately affects women, who are particularly vulnerable targets due to deeply ingrained societal gender-based discrimination and hatred, perpetuating power imbalances (dominant-submissive) and gender disparities. The aim of this thesis is twofold: firstly, to determine whether European States have an effective and overarching set of national laws and strategies to address the issue of IPV. Secondly, to suggest steps that the European States could take to enhance their national strategy on combating Intimate Partner Violence and cultivating societies that reject patriarchy. This thesis investigates academic research papers and statistical data to analyse and examine the various forms of IPV, including physical, sexual, psychological and emotional, economic, and technological abuse. Subsequently, relevant primary and secondary legal sources, both regional and national, are assessed to identify the existing failures of European governments in eradicating IPV. The author concludes that European States do not have comprehensive laws and execution mechanisms to address IPV sufficiently or effectively. Consequently, recommendations are provided for governments to improve their approaches to combating IPV and upholding women's rights. Keywords: Intimate Partner Violence, gender-based discrimination, women's rights, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological and emotional abuse, economic abuse, technological abuse, legal frameworks, European governments, national machinery, suggestions and recommendations, gender equality, and human rights.