European Union: Advancing sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors
January 2026 — In December 2025, European Union (EU) institutions reached a political agreement on a revised Victims’ Rights Directive confirming that survivors of sexual violence have the right to access sexual and reproductive healthcare, including emergency contraception, abortion care, and STI testing, where permitted under national law.
This agreement marks the first time EU victims’ rights legislation has explicitly recognised sexual and reproductive healthcare as a core component of survivor support. The revised directive must still be formally approved by the European Parliament and the Council before it can enter into force.
Once adopted, the new legal protections are expected to establish more consistent standards for survivor care and support across EU Member States, helping to address long-standing disparities in access to reproductive health services throughout the EU.
Source: Centre for Reproductive Rights
