A review of literature on “violence (experienced or perpetrated) and psychoactive substance use among women in Europe and in the Mediterranean Region” was conducted in 2015. 63 articles published in 12 countries related to the issue of violence and the use of psychotropic substances among women were considered in this exploratory research.

In order to give an operational perspective to this review of literature, a consultation through focus groups on addiction treatment and risk and harm reduction professionals was undertaken in four countries: France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The recommendations were presented during a seminar on Women, Drugs and Violence held on 10-11 December 2015 in Rome attended by Italian professionals working in the area of addiction treatment and harm and risk reduction, along with policy makers from 22 countries.

The details of these consultations and the recommendations appear in this report. By its action on introducing a gender dimension in drug policies, the Pompidou Group contributes to the Council of Europe Strategy on Gender Equality 2014- 2017 which aims at achieving the advancement and empowering of women and the effective realisation of gender equality in Council of Europe member States.