Over 10,000 incidents of violence against women in 2022

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Greek Citizens’ Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos said that more than 10,000 cases of violence had been handled by the 18 Greek police departments to combat domestic violence this year, the vast majority against women.

“Together we will effectively fight violence against women,” Theodorikakos said in a statement, joining a group of female police officers from the Domestic Violence Unit who handed out information leaflets at Syntagma Square in central Athens on Friday. “For the Ministry of Citizens’ Protection and for the Greek police, every day is a day of effective action against violence against women,” Theodorikakos said and called on all women who feel in any kind of danger to speak openly about it and report it to the police.

The minister’s statements came a day after the Hellenic Psychiatric Association’s forensic psychiatry department criticized that the country’s competent services were not working effectively enough. Greece ranks last in Europe in terms of protection against gender-based violence, with fragmented services and low levels of victim confidence in the criminal justice system and service delivery system, the association said in a statement. Emphasizing that “Greece ranks first from the bottom” among the countries EUshe noted that gender-based violence is a fundamental human rights issue that requires concerted action to address.

The problem of domestic violence is global, and all countries face the same challenges in its eradication. Awareness and zero tolerance for abuse of women and girls are important steps in preventing violence. However, in order for significant changes to take place, interdisciplinary and intersectoral cooperation, a good assessment of the needs of victims and, of course, clear political will and commitment from each state are necessary, the association stressed.

She called for the implementation of the provisions of the Istanbul Convention and the creation of coordinated teams that will provide effective protection and support depending on the needs of victims of domestic violence, which is of fundamental importance. In addition, emphasis needs to be placed on updating and filling the large gaps identified in legislation to address online violence that puts women and girls at greater risk.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in Greece, the number of cases of violence against women, as well as cases of femicide, has increased. It is worth noting that an increasing number of women are reporting being victims of violence, fueled by the MeToo movement.

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