The Group of Experts on combating violence against women and domestic violence (GREVIO) has published its 5th general report on activities for 2023, which presents the major achievements of its work and includes a thematic section on "the role and importance of risk assessment and risk management in preventing and combating violence against women".
This report stresses the importance of increasing training for authorities to better address different forms of violence, including psychological and digital manifestations of violence. GREVIO monitoring throughout 2023 also determined that separation from a violent partner can increase risks to children, hence the importance of incorporating dynamic risk assessments into custody and access procedures. These procedures can be used to perpetuate abuse after separation, including through abusive litigation. A better understanding of post-separation violence is therefore essential to ensure the safety of victims.
During last year's reporting period, GREVIO published seven baseline evaluation reports (Luxembourg, Croatia, North Macedonia, Ireland, Greece, Republic of Moldova and Liechtenstein). It also started its first thematic evaluation visits on "Building trust by delivering support, protection and justice"' and saw the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by the European Union.
The thematic section covers "the role and importance of risk assessment and risk management in preventing and combating violence against women". Risk assessment is a key mechanism enabling national authorities to prevent human rights violations, particularly domestic violence and genderbased violence, which disproportionately affect women and girls. Risk assessment helps to protect fundamental rights such as the right to life and physical security. Article 51 of the Istanbul Convention stresses the importance of this assessment, complemented by articles 52 and 53 on protection and restraining orders, as well as article 31 on child custody.
The GREVIO evaluation reports recommend more training for authorities on the different forms of violence, including psychological violence and digital manifestations of violence. They also point out that separation from a violent partner can increase the risks to children, hence the importance of incorporating dynamic risk assessments into custody and access procedures. These processes can be used to perpetuate abuse after separation, including through abusive litigation. A better understanding of post-separation violence is therefore essential to ensure the safety of victims.
A link is made with the European Court of Human Rights, which, through its case law, requires Parties to take preventive measures against domestic violence by assessing the real and immediate risks to life and physical integrity. Emphasis is placed on the need to identify the possible repetition of violent acts within the family, over and above the general protection of a person in danger.
