Stop the violence epidemic

The Socialist Party of Iceland's (Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands) platform for the parliamentary elections on September 25, 2021:Third offerpresented to voters on Ascension Day:

Stop the violence epidemic

After many decades and centuries of women's struggle for recognition of gender-based violence and harassment by society and authorities, it is time for public action. Everyone should be aware of the harm that gender-based violence has caused, especially to women and children, and that the violence is deeply rooted, prevalent, and systemic in society. The time for awakening has passed, and the facts are clear. Now, action is needed.

The Socialist Party of Iceland offers voters to cast their ballot for the following measures in the parliamentary elections this autumn:

A violence oversight body shall be established to investigate, based on tips or its own initiative, workplaces, schools, and public places, and have the power to respond where violence and harassment are shown to be rampant, remove perpetrators, revoke operating licenses, and use other means to ensure the safety of staff, students, and guests.

The oversight body must focus particularly on places where there is a significant power imbalance due to income disparity, age difference, or different backgrounds, status, or power.

An independent police and prosecution agency shall be established with qualified staff specializing in the investigation and prosecution of gender-based violence cases, developing investigation methods suitable for victims and the severity of the cases, strengthening litigation in courts, and providing support to victims before, during, and after legal proceedings.

Victims shall receive legal aid to pursue private cases against perpetrators.

The most severe acts of violence occur within homes, where people experience the most prolonged and serious violence. The government's response to domestic violence must be in line with its severity and prevalence. Perpetrators shall always be removed from homes, and victims shall be protected from perpetrators. A residence for perpetrators who are not subject to imprisonment or detention shall be operated. Representatives of the violence oversight body shall always attend the scene, as shall child protection authorities if children are in the home, along with response and investigative police, and safeguard the interests of victims during police investigations, by the prosecution, and during other public handling and aftermath. Victims shall receive appropriate treatment and follow-up for the violence and the trauma that accompanies it.

Courses shall be developed for all staff working with children to increase knowledge of signs of violence against children and how to respond. It shall be required that those working with children have completed such courses.

Courses shall be organized for staff of healthcare institutions and those who provide personal assistance to people with physical or mental disabilities or any kind of impairment. The education is intended to prevent violence by caregivers, whether conscious or unconscious, and how best to recognize its symptoms and respond.

It shall also be required that managers in public institutions have completed courses on violence, and the same requirements shall be made for all private companies doing business with the state and municipalities.

Curriculum on gender studies, sexual violence, and other forms of violence shall be developed and implemented for all age groups in preschools, primary schools, and secondary schools. Furthermore, educational material shall be developed for the general public.

Victims shall be guaranteed treatment for their trauma. Fair compensation and damages shall be paid from public funds to those who have suffered violence and harm and cannot seek such compensation in private cases. The Compensation Committee shall apply a lower standard of proof than is the case in criminal cases.

Gender-based violence is a serious societal ill that causes enormous personal harm, reduces people's activity, and causes widespread insecurity in society. It is therefore of great importance to reduce this epidemic as much as possible. It is important to increase everyone's awareness of the physical and psychological consequences of violence and also to build institutions and resources to deal with them.

This is the role of the public sector, to adapt society's institutions to the threat people face, protect them from the threat, support them, and empower them.

Approved at a joint meeting of the Executive Board (Framkvæmdastjórn) and Policy Board (Málefnastjórn) of the Socialist Party on Ascension Day, May 13, 2021.