Human rights organisations have raised alarms over the inadequacy of the victim protection system for gender-based violence, according to statements submitted to the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee.
The Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family (SPAVO) reported that, during 2023, no victim statements have been received at the Women’s Shelter, while they handled 230 new cases and an additional 150 carried over from 2022.
In total, 380 cases were managed. However, despite substantial state investment, with thousands of euros allocated to creating a dedicated space and meeting the needs of victims, not a single woman provided a statement at the facility.
Additionally, SPAVO highlighted that they received no response to two letters sent to the highest authority, requesting a meeting and updates.
SPAVO emphasised that victims of violence must wait up to 8 hours in First Aid Departments at Nicosia hospitals.
The Network Against Violence Towards Women noted that not all gender-based violence cases are referred to police units combating violence, resulting in inadequate handling.
Furthermore, protective and exclusion orders are not enforced, and custody orders are not implemented, leading to the victimization of children.
The Advisory Committee for the Prevention and Combating of Domestic Violence revealed that approval for the Women’s Shelter Procedures, a document outlining binding procedures, has been pending for two years.
