As domestic violence and sexual abuse persist as daily challenges in Luxembourg, a survivor-led association is calling for transformative legal reforms to ensure justice and protection for victims.
Domestic violence, sexual abuse, and psychological torture remain a daily reality for many women, children, and, at times, men in Luxembourg.
In response to this pressing issue, the association La Voix des Survivant(e)s ("The Voice of the Survivors") has submitted a comprehensive set of reform proposals to the Chamber of Deputies, aiming to drive meaningful change.
La Voix des Survivant(e)s is an association composed of survivors for survivors. Its members include women and men who have personally experienced domestic violence or sexual abuse and have chosen to break their silence. Among them are also lawyers who have contributed their expertise, combining personal insights with legal knowledge to craft a detailed and actionable reform plan.
The urgency of this issue is underscored by Petition 3409, which closed on 3 January with 5,009 signatures. The overwhelming public support highlights a clear demand for gender-based violence to be treated as a top priority in Luxembourg.
The association's proposals are direct and far-reaching. They call for stricter penalties for perpetrators, enhanced protection for victims, the establishment of a specialised court to handle such cases, the creation of a national victim support centre, and the introduction of specific rights for children affected by abuse.
Ana Pinto, president of La Voix des Survivant(e)s, particularly emphasised the need to reform the 2018 law on suspended sentences, which she described as deeply flawed. "In essence, someone who steals a kilo of potatoes from Cactus receives the same suspended sentence as someone who rapes a child, woman, or man", Pinto stated. While acknowledging that leniency may vary from case to case, she underscored that first-time offenders will always be shown leniency. "We cannot tolerate this, and we absolutely want it to go away", she declared.
Another critical issue highlighted by the association is the prolonged delays in legal proceedings. Stéphanie Makoumbou, a lawyer and member of La Voix des Survivant(e)s, shared her concerns about the lengthy timelines victims face before their cases reach trial. "I've had clients come to me to file complaints against perpetrators, and yet today it's 2025, the proceedings began in 2019/2020, and we're still at the investigation stage", she explained, lamenting that the length of these processes in Luxembourg is "far too long".
Makoumbou emphasised the emotional toll this takes on victims, stating: "It’s devastating to spend five years before a judge, with no guarantee that the perpetrator will even be convicted."
The association's reform proposals have already garnered support from several political parties. Additionally, as part of the National Action Plan against Violence, the government has announced plans to establish a dedicated centre for victims. La Voix des Survivant(e)s is advocating for a seat at the table in the creation of this centre.
