Data collection on intimate partner violence by the police and justice sectors : the Netherlands

Many women victims of intimate partner violence in the EU Member States remain unprotected. Perpetrators often go unpunished due to inadequate law enforcement approaches, which do not align with international human rights treaties. A gender-neutral approach to the law, coupled with the unavailability of data and existing stereotypes result in the denial of violence against women and its tolerance or normalisation. States must ensure that they carry out the due diligence principle to investigate and punish acts of violence and provide compensation to victims. Improving data collection and providing comprehensive and reliable administrative data is crucial to monitor the police and justice sectors' response to violence against women. It also shows a state's willingness to monitor the effectiveness of its law. High-quality administrative data is in line with the international commitments of Member States to combat violence against women as defined in Directive 2012/29/EU (the Victims' Rights Directive) and the Istanbul Convention.