24 May 1989

15th plenary meeting

Domestic violence

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 40/36 of 29 November 1985,

Recalling also section IV of Economic and Social Council resolution 1986/10 of 21 May 1986,

Bearing in mind the significance for victims of domestic violence of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power,

Aware of the need for measures to be taken on behalf of victims of crime and abuse of power,

Taking into account Economic and Social Council resolution 1988/27 of 26 May 1988 on efforts to eradicate violence against women within the family and society, in which the Council, inter alia, requested the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control at its tenth session the relevant recommendations of the Expert Group Meeting on Violence in the Family with Special Emphasis on its Effects on Women, held at Vienna from 8 to 12 December 1986, in order for the Committee to review them, provide guidance on their implementation and submit appropriate documentation thereon to the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders,

Concerned at the fact that domestic violence against spouses, children and the elderly cuts across all cultures and socio-economic classes,

Mindful of the need for different legal and social systems, at all levels, to provide a more effective and concerted response to domestic violence and to ensure the fair treatment of victims by justice and social assistance systems,

Bearing in mind that the question of domestic violence should be considered under item 6 of the provisional agenda for the Eighth Congress, entitled "Prevention of delinquency, juvenile justice and the protection of the young: policy approaches and directions",

1. Takes note with satisfaction of the note by the Secretary-General on progress achieved with respect to the implementation of General Assembly resolution 40/36 on domestic violence;

2. Takes note of the recommendations of the Expert Group Meeting on Violence in the Family;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to pursue actively the implementation of General Assembly resolution 40/36;

4. Also requests the Secretary-General to undertake further comparative research, studies and reports on developments in the phenomenon of domestic violence against spouses, children and the elderly, from the perspective of criminal justice, criminal law and procedure, taking into account the recommendations of the Expert Group Meeting, especially the role of crisis intervention and protection and of social and other service delivery systems;

5. Further requests the Secretary-General to prepare a report on domestic violence for consideration under item 6 of the provisional agenda for the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders.