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Brutal attack captured on video
The footage shows a 14-year-old repeatedly assaulting her peer, who remains seated on steps, unable to react. The attack was already underway when the recording began.
A group of minors, five girls and two boys, stand nearby, watching without intervening. Two of them are seen filming the incident on their mobile phones.
The attacker delivers multiple slaps and kicks to the victim’s face and head before pulling her hair and continuing the assault.
Witnesses reportedly shouted sporadically for the violence to stop, but many continued to observe and mock the situation.
The incident escalated further when the victim was dragged to the ground and subjected to punches and kicks across her body. Only at that point did some of the bystanders step in to stop the attack.
According to information, the incident took place in the Nicosia area around two weeks ago during the Easter holidays.
The footage was handed over by Sigma to the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, who subsequently informed the Police.
Rising concern over youth delinquency
The case highlights growing concerns about teen violence in Cyprus, particularly among secondary school students.
President of the Confederation of Secondary Education Parents, Loizos Constantinou, speaking on Sigma’s “Protoselido” programme, warned of increasing violent behaviour, especially among younger teenagers.
He stressed that while schools do not create delinquency, they are often where such behaviour becomes visible, pointing to a broader societal issue.
Constantinou noted that recent incidents frequently involve not only perpetrators and victims but also passive spectators who record events on their phones.
He likened the behaviour to watching a sporting event, with onlookers reacting as if they were observing entertainment rather than real violence.
Concerns over state response
He also expressed concern over delays in implementing legislation for juvenile offenders and highlighted gaps in key support structures, including the “House of the Child”.
According to Constantinou, recent circulars on the operation of local school committees have not been fully implemented, with many schools yet to take the necessary steps.
Call for collective responsibility
He stressed that responsibility lies with society as a whole, particularly adults and parents, noting that children are influenced by their environment and the behaviours they observe.
“If we do not create the right framework, we cannot have expectations from children,” he said, calling for a meaningful reassessment of how society and the education system address youth behaviour.
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