EU adopts its first law devoted to tackling violence against women

EUROPEAN Union countries on Tuesday backed the bloc's first law devoted to combating violence against women, although the text controversially failed to settle on a common definition of rape.

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The EU Parliament adopted on Wednesday, with 522 in favour, 27 against, and 72 abstentions, the first ever EU rules on combating violence against women and domestic violence.

justice minister, Paul Van Tigchelt. The law criminalises cyber stalking, cyber harassment and cyber incitement to hatred or violence across the EU. It sets minimum sentences, ranging from one year to five years in prison, depending on the crime.