08/09/2009 Equality and Non-Discrimination
Widespread public attitudes to rape which tend to shift the blame from the attacker to the victim are a major obstacle to the reporting, effective investigation and prosecution of cases of rape and sexual assault, according to a report adopted today in Paris by the PACE Equal Opportunities Committee on the rape of women, including marital rape. The report, which will be discussed by PACE at a coming plenary session, recommends the launch of a Council of Europe campaign to change those attitudes. The report also says the severest and most widespread forms of violence against women, including rape and sexual assault, should be included in the future Council of Europe Convention aimed at preventing and combating violence against woment and domestic violence.