Euro MPs to vote for EU wide domestic abuse protection orders

Victims of stalking, harassment or gender-based violence who are granted protection in one EU member state will get the same protection if they move to another EU country under new rules to be be voted on today (Wednesday 22 May).

Labour’s Spokesperson on Legal Affairs and local Euro MP Arlene McCarthy said: “We are all too familiar with the statistics on domestic abuse in the UK. One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime. One incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute and on average, two women a week are killed by a current or former male partner.”

“Behind these statistics are real women and children suffering the huge impacts of domestic abuse.”

“With over 1million British citizens living in other European countries it is vital that we are able to respond to the threat of domestic abuse across European borders.”

Arlene added: “This new multilingual certificate available online and easily transferrable between European countries will be a life saving measure for some victims of domestic abuse.”

“Victims of stalking, harassment or domestic abuse will also be guaranteed information and support in their own language.”

“This law is an example of the European Union working at is best to protect citizens.”