Women This Week: European Parliament Combating Violence Against Women

New EU Directive to Target Online and Domestic Violence  

This week, members of the European Parliament, led by President Roberta Metsola, concluded two years of negotiations and adopted a directive on combating violence against women. With 522 in favor, 27 against, and 72 abstentions, this new legislation establishes a common definition of certain crimes and harmonizes penalties across the 27 member states of the European Parliament. Notably, the directive specifically prohibits female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and includes additional laws to target online crimes and cyberviolence. It also outlines aggravating circumstances that would lead to more severe penalties when crimes are committed against “a public figure, journalist, or human rights defender.” After the measure was adopted, Metsola said, “...Victims need support. Aggressors must face punishment. Women deserve protection. We will not stop here.” Member states will now have three years to implement the legislation, and it will be reviewed by the commission every five years. 

Collision Between Federal and State Law on Abortion in the Supreme Court  

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments over Idaho’s abortion ban and whether a federal law known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTLA) can be invoked to override state restrictions on the procedure. Currently, Idaho has a near-total ban on abortions, with exceptions in the case of incest, rape, and when the mother’s life is at risk. The Idaho law has led to situations where women with grave pregnancy complications have had to be transported out of state for care or forced to wait for care until their health complications become life-threatening. Lawyers for the Biden Administration argue that EMTLA should apply in these cases because the law requires the provision of emergency care to patients in need and, in the case of pregnant women, to provide  “immediate medical attention” to preserve “the health of the woman...” Idaho argues that EMTLA was never intended to be used for abortion-related purposes and that it directly conflicts with the Dobbs decision, which leaves abortion rights up to the state. The final decision in this case will have implications outside Idaho, extending to more than a dozen other states with abortion bans.  

Settlement Reached for Sexual Assault of USA Female Gymnasts  

The Justice Department reached a settlement to pay $138.7 million to women and girls sexually assaulted by Lawrence G. Nassar, the former team physician for the U.S. Gymnastics team. The settlement comes after the FBI failed to investigate allegations by hundreds of young women who were treated by Nassar. Top female gymnasts, including Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, and Aly Raisman, played an instrumental part in efforts to seek justice. “These women were assaulted because of the FBI’s failure and there is no amount of money that will make them whole again,” said lawyer Mick Grewal. “Their goal with all this was to make sure that this never happens again.” He added that he hopes the deal will “close the book on this, and this will help lead them on the path to healing.”