The Voice of Survivors, a support organisation for victims of domestic violence, has expressed satisfaction that abusers will face harsher punishments in the future. However, the association said it is disappointed that politicians have not kept their promises regarding cooperation.
The non-profit, founded in 2022, held its general assembly on Thursday. During the gathering, the association expressed satisfaction with its achievements so far and stressed that it will not rest as long as victims of violence remain afraid or ashamed to speak out. However, the organisation noted that attitudes appear to be shifting in Luxembourg.
Ana Pinto, President of The Voice of Survivors, said she was pleased with the commitments made after the non-profit participated in a debate in the Chamber of Deputies in July 2025. That debate followed the success of the association's petition, which had been preceded by its own reform proposals drafted and submitted several months earlier.
The non-profit is particularly satisfied that all perpetrators of abuse will receive harsher penalties in the future. Pinto explained that this means, for example, that first-time offenders can now face prison sentences rather than the fully suspended sentences that have been standard practice. She stressed that politicians have promised that abuse will no longer be treated as a minor offence but as an actual crime.
Other measures currently being developed include adding coercive control and psychological violence to the Criminal Code, hiring additional magistrates, and introducing specialised training for magistrates and police officers.
Lawmakers have also promised the non-profit that the National Centre for Victims of Violence will operate 24/7 starting in May.
While The Voice of Survivors is pleased with these developments, the association said it is far from resting on its laurels. Pinto noted that there is insufficient space in women's shelters and not enough housing for people who are too afraid to return home to their partners.
Pinto stated that the non-profit is aware of cases in which mothers are forced to live in cars with their children after fleeing their partners, having nowhere else to go. She criticised this as unacceptable in a wealthy country such as Luxembourg.
Compounding the situation, these mothers often fear seeking help because they are worried their children will be taken from them and placed in foster care.
The Voice of Survivors is reminding the state of its responsibility in such matters. At the same time, the non-profit has called on private individuals to help ensure that victims of violence have an easier time finding housing. Pinto criticised the fact that numerous buildings in Luxembourg remain vacant and suggested that the state could take over these properties and rent them out at affordable rates to affected women.
The non-profit is also demanding that perpetrators be brought to court more swiftly – citing Spain as an example, where suspects must appear before a judge within 14 days.
Finally, The Voice of Survivors criticised politicians for breaking a specific promise: namely, that the association would be involved throughout the legislative process, including by integrating its representatives into the relevant parliamentary committees. According to Pinto, this has never materialised.
She regretted that the non-profit has so far had to learn about all decisions through the press. In her view, there remains considerable room for improvement when it comes to communication, the president of The Voice of Survivors said.
