Domestic Violence against Women and European Human Rights Law

Scientific Essay from the year 2015 in the subject Law - European and International Law, Intellectual Properties, grade: -, , language: English, abstract: Domestic violence against women remains a major problem which often is off the radar screen of public authorities as dismissive attitudes towards women persist among those working for local security forces (which often are male-dominated) and - for a wide range of reasons, including in particular fear of further violence against the victim or children - many cases are not reported. The risk of underreporting makes it necessary for authorities to be particularly vigilant and sensitive to situations which are threatening for women. In this research article it will be shown that the European Convention on Human Rights can provide an effective legal tool to ensure that the authorities take this positive human rights obligation seriously.


RA Dr. Stefan Kirchner, MJI, is an international legal consultant, admitted to the bar in Germany (www.marine-consulting-eu). He has worked at the Law of the Sea Division of the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin and at the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency. He has been Assistant Professor for the Law of the Sea in Kaunas and Associate Professor for Fundamental and Human Rights in Rovaniemi. After serving as Co-Chair of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Interest Group of the American Society of International Law he now holds that position in ASIL''s Law of the Sea Interest Group.