Domestic violence
Directive (EU) 2024/1385 requires the criminalisation of female genital mutilation, forced marriage and several forms of cyber violence — non-consensual sharing of intimate images, cyber stalking, online incitement to hatred. It also imposes protection and support duties: individual risk assessment, rape crisis centres, helplines and professional training. A consent-based definition of rape was not retained in the final text.
It is a directive: it sets a minimum floor each state must reach, without preventing them from going further. Several states already exceeded that floor before 2024.
The most novel part concerns cyber violence, previously punished very unevenly: non-consensual sharing of intimate images becomes an offence throughout the Union.
Key points
| Instrument | Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of 14 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Transposition | By June 2027 at the latest |
| Offences | Female genital mutilation, forced marriage, cyber violence |
| Protection | Risk assessment, crisis centres, helplines, training |
| Rape | A consent-based definition was not retained |
Frequently asked questions
What does the 2024 Directive add?
Harmonised offences of female genital mutilation, forced marriage and cyber violence, plus duties of protection and support for victims.
Is rape defined at European level?
No. The consent-based definition was not retained in the final text; it remains national.
When does it apply?
States must transpose it by June 2027; some national laws already comply.
Does it cover intimate image abuse?
Yes, non-consensual sharing of intimate images must be an offence in every member state.
The general article: Domestic violence · Compare with another country
Female genital mutilation
Directive (EU) 2024/1385 of 14 May 2024 requires the criminalisation of female genital mutilation and forced marriage, with minimum maximum penalties and aggravating circumstances where the victim is a child or the offender a family member. It requires states to establish jurisdiction over acts committed abroad by their nationals or habitual residents, without requiring double criminality. It also provides for training health and education professionals in detection.
Cutting carried out during a holiday in the country of origin is the situation primarily targeted: mandatory extraterritorial jurisdiction closes that route.
The Directive complements the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention, a separate instrument that several member states have not ratified.
Key points
| Criminalisation | Mandatory in all twenty-seven member states |
|---|---|
| Extraterritorial jurisdiction | For nationals and habitual residents |
| Double criminality | May not be required |
| Prevention | Training for health and education professionals |
Frequently asked questions
Is FGM an offence throughout the Union?
Yes, the 2024 Directive requires criminalisation in all twenty-seven member states.
What if it is done abroad?
States must establish jurisdiction over acts committed outside their territory by nationals or habitual residents.
Must it be an offence where it happened?
No, double criminality may not be required.
What does the Directive say about prevention?
Training for health and education professionals in detection and reporting.
The general article: Female genital mutilation · Compare with another country
Sexual offences committed abroad
This is the directive that requires every member state to prosecute its nationals for child sexual abuse committed abroad, even where the conduct is not punished locally.
Directive 2011/93/EU harmonises offences of child sexual abuse, exploitation and child sexual abuse material, with minimum penalties. Article 17 requires states to establish jurisdiction over offences committed outside their territory by their nationals, and forbids making prosecution conditional on double criminality or on a complaint filed where the acts occurred. It also provides for disqualification from activities involving contact with children and for the exchange of those disqualifications between states.
This is one of the few areas where the Union imposes extraterritorial jurisdiction: a national of a member state can be tried at home for conduct in a country where it is not an offence.
The ECRIS criminal-records exchange lets an employer learn that a person was convicted in another member state, which was previously impossible.
Key points
| Instrument | Directive 2011/93/EU of 13 December 2011 |
|---|---|
| Extraterritorial jurisdiction | Mandatory for nationals, Article 17 |
| Double criminality | May not be required |
| Local complaint | May not be required to prosecute |
| Disqualifications | Exchanged between member states through the criminal records system |
Frequently asked questions
Can I be prosecuted for acts committed abroad?
Yes. The Directive requires your state to establish jurisdiction over child sexual abuse committed outside its territory by its nationals.
Must the conduct be an offence locally?
No. The Directive forbids requiring double criminality.
Is a complaint needed where it happened?
No, it cannot be made a condition of prosecution.
Do convictions travel between states?
Yes, through the exchange of criminal records, allowing checks on people working with children.
The general article: Sexual offences committed abroad · Compare with another country