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Europe must tackle domestic abuse Europe 'must end domestic abuse'
(20 minutes later)
Spain's prime minister has launched a campaign against domestic violence in Europe, calling it one of the worst forms of human rights violations.Spain's prime minister has launched a campaign against domestic violence in Europe, calling it one of the worst forms of human rights violations.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was speaking to hundreds of delegates from the Council of Europe's member states.Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was speaking to hundreds of delegates from the Council of Europe's member states.
According to the Council, almost a quarter of women in Europe have suffered physical or sexual attack.According to the Council, almost a quarter of women in Europe have suffered physical or sexual attack.
Mr Zapatero said that there could be no room for such abuse and that women must not feel abandoned by society. Mr Zapatero said there could be no room for such abuse and that women must not feel abandoned by society.
"Fear, pain and humiliation are incompatible with a project for a decent society," Mr Zapatero said."Fear, pain and humiliation are incompatible with a project for a decent society," Mr Zapatero said.
Breaking the silenceBreaking the silence
In Spain, some two million women say they have been the victims of psychological or physical abuse.In Spain, some two million women say they have been the victims of psychological or physical abuse.
Mr Zapatero has described domestic violence as Spain's "greatest national disgrace".Mr Zapatero has described domestic violence as Spain's "greatest national disgrace".
The Council of Europe has called for increased awareness of the problem of domestic violence.The Council of Europe has called for increased awareness of the problem of domestic violence.
It says "risk factors", including a patriarchal culture, gender stereotypes and low income, must be addressed.It says "risk factors", including a patriarchal culture, gender stereotypes and low income, must be addressed.
The Council of Europe says that stopping the complicit silence surrounding domestic abuse is one of the campaign's main goals.The Council of Europe says that stopping the complicit silence surrounding domestic abuse is one of the campaign's main goals.
"Women suffering from domestic violence are not only victims of abuse, they are also victims of silence, victims of indifference and victims of neglect," said Terry Davis, the Council's Secretary General."Women suffering from domestic violence are not only victims of abuse, they are also victims of silence, victims of indifference and victims of neglect," said Terry Davis, the Council's Secretary General.
The conference opened with a minute's silence for Spain's most recent victim of domestic violence, a 43-year-old woman from Seville, who was stabbed to death over the weekend by her ex-husband.The conference opened with a minute's silence for Spain's most recent victim of domestic violence, a 43-year-old woman from Seville, who was stabbed to death over the weekend by her ex-husband.
Spain has made efforts to tackle domestic violence, passing a law in 2004 which introduced tougher penalties for men found guilty of such offences.Spain has made efforts to tackle domestic violence, passing a law in 2004 which introduced tougher penalties for men found guilty of such offences.
Special courts have also been set up and the number of police officers trained to work with abused women has been increased by 90%.Special courts have also been set up and the number of police officers trained to work with abused women has been increased by 90%.