Gender-based violence and crimes against women remain a major problem in Cyprus, with around 10,000 cases reported to authorities over the past five years and nearly 7,000 reaching the courts, Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris said.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, Fytiris described the issue as “very critical” and announced that work is under way on a “Red Flag” prevention platform designed to provide early warnings about potential cases of violence.
The minister said meetings had been held with all relevant organisations and visits had taken place at the Home of Women.
Red Flag platform planned for year-end
According to Fytiris, the platform is being developed with the assistance of a volunteer technology adviser and is expected to be ready by the end of the year.
The proposed system would work in three stages:
- A suspicious incident would be identified even if it does not yet constitute a criminal offence but may indicate a risk of violence.
- The incident would be recorded briefly, including the identities of those involved, the nature of the incident and the service that handled it.
- A “red flag” would be triggered if a second incident involving the same person was recorded, allowing state authorities to identify the pattern and intervene.
Fytiris stressed that closer cooperation between services is essential alongside any legislative changes.
He also raised the question of what happens to victims after police intervene against an alleged perpetrator, saying the aim is to establish an immediate-response centre capable of acting effectively and in a coordinated manner.
Shelter in Larnaca identified as priority
Newly appointed Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Tina Pavlou said the state must operate “as one body” if meaningful results are to be achieved.
She welcomed the proposed platform as a measure that could strengthen prevention, while stressing that coordination between services is essential.
Pavlou said the creation of a shelter in Larnaca is currently a priority because the city does not have one. The expansion of the Home for Women would be considered at a later stage.
15% return to Home for Women
SPAVO scientific director Andri Andronikou highlighted continuing gaps in support for victims.
She said 15% of women who have received services from the Home for Women return to the facility, indicating that the cycle of abuse is not being broken.
Andronikou called for stronger support to help victims avoid returning to abusive environments. She pointed to gaps in employment and housing support, as well as a lack of continuous support programmes.
She also highlighted problems with access to legal aid despite the existing legislation.
Seven key gaps identified
Human Rights Committee chairman Christos Christofides outlined a series of legislative and operational gaps and called for progress on the 25 recommendations issued by GREVIO, which have remained pending for years.
Among the key issues identified were:
- A lack of a shared real-time operational picture despite the need for a statistical database.
- Fragmented risk assessment, with no common, scientifically validated dynamic tool across services.
- Outstanding commitments concerning the psychological reassessment of armed public officials.
- Pending procedures, staffing and expansion plans for the Home for Women.
- Limited transparency in the progress and outcomes of cases, including withdrawals, response times, high-risk cases, convictions and complaints.
- The absence of an automatic, independent, multi-agency review mechanism following a femicide.
- No clear timetable with specific dates for legislative and prevention measures.
Christofides said the issue would be reviewed again by Parliament in around six weeks.
Authorities given 30-day deadline
The committee is seeking a series of deliverables within 30 days, including an implementation table for the 25 GREVIO recommendations, with details of proposed legislative amendments, responsible authorities and dates for submission.
It is also seeking separate plans for a statistical database and a high-risk operational system, including milestones, budgets and legal foundations.
Other requested measures include a three-year psychological reassessment plan for armed officials, procedures for the Home for Women and staffing of its multidisciplinary team, as well as a consolidated record of response times, high-risk cases, withdrawals, outcomes, suspensions and complaints.
A joint plan involving the Justice Ministry, Law Office and judiciary is also being requested to address delays and ensure protection for victims until cases reach their final outcome.
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