Commission proposes extension of Daphne initiative to protect women and children, February 2003

The Daphne Programme seeks to tackle the problem of violence against children, young people and women. A proposal to extend the current Programme - under the title Daphne II - was put to the European Parliament and Council on 5 February 2003. Announcing its decision to seek funding for a further five years (2004-2008) Commissioner Antonio Vitorino said 'Reducing and preventing violence against women and children must be a priority for our society'.

If approved, Daphne II will succeed the 2000-2003 Daphne Programme, which itself took over from the Daphne Initiative spanning 1997-1999. Since 1997 Daphne has funded some 270 projects from about 1800 proposed to the Commission.

Daphne is, states the Commission, 'based on the recognition of violence as a crime. It tackles this phenomenon by a victim-based approach. Violence is understood in the widest possible sense, from sexual abuse to domestic violence, from commercial exploitation to bullying in schools, from trafficking to discrimination-based violence against handicapped, minority, migrant or other vulnerable people.'

Projects cover a wide range of violence-related issues, including: violence in the family, violence in schools and other establishments, violence at work, commercial sexual exploitation, genital mutilation, health repercussions, violence against women, trafficking in human beings, rehabilitation of perpetrators.

A mid-term review of the Daphne Programme (presented to the European Parliament and the Council in April 2002) showed that the most frequent forms of violence against those supported by Daphne were sexual and domestic violence. Most Daphne-funded projects focused on preventing violence and protecting women and children from it. Projects also addressed issues such as legislative measures, and treatment of victims and offenders. The most important methods used to address the problems were networking, dissemination of good practice, production of material, awareness-raising and training.

Daphne helps fund organisations such as victim-support agencies, training bodies, universities, voluntary associations, research centres and local authorities. Organisations are encouraged to establish or reinforce European networks and undertake innovative pilot projects. According to the Commission, 'The Daphne Programme, its projects and its results are recognised throughout Europe and beyond as an important programming tool against violence and as an example of good practice in this area.'

The original Daphne Initiative had a budget of ECU 3 million in 1997 and 1998 and €5 million in 1999; the budget for the Daphne Programme was €20 million for the period 2000-2003. The Commission's proposal for Daphne II seeks €41 million. The increase is justified partly on the grounds of the Union's forthcoming enlargement.

Links:

European Commission:
	05.02.03:	The Daphne II Programme (2004-08) to continue efforts to combat violence against women and children [IP/03/181]
	05.02.03:	European Commission adopts Daphne II programme against violence towards women and children
	Daphne - EU programme to combat violence against children, young persons and women
	The Daphne Programme (2000-2003)
European Parliament:
	European Parliament resolution on the mid-term review of the 2000-2003 Daphne Programme

Eric Davies
Researcher
Compiled: Monday, 10 February 2003

The Daphne Programme seeks to tackle the problem of violence against children, young people and women. A proposal to extend the current Programme - under the title Daphne II - was put to the European Parliament and Council on 5 February 2003.