ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses new developments in legislation related to family violence and new antistalking legislation, in the Netherlands and in other European countries. It also explores the symbolic function of (new) legislation. This symbolic function may be contrasted with the function of providing an adequate tool to combat family violence. Some countries, such as Australia, have introduced laws that describe in detail those behaviours defined as stalking. There is an increase in the number and scope of immediate interventions applicable in cases of family violence and stalking in many European countries. Newly introduced laws enable eviction orders to be issued. These orders are a clear example of an immediate intervention: in a substantial and still growing number of European countries, perpetrators of family violence may be ordered to leave the home for a certain period of time.
