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- Ελληνικά
The Advisory Committee for the Prevention and Combating of Violence in the Family (ACPCF) expresses its strong concern regarding ensuring the protection/safety of victims in cases of domestic violence and gender-based violence against women.
Specifically, in a recent case that came to light and according to the complainant's complaint, a Greek Cypriot ex-partner allegedly went to the woman's house in Lakatamia, persistently asking her to open the door. Breaking down the door, he entered the house and at knifepoint threatened to kill her and beat her. Fortunately, a third person was able to enter the house in time, causing the offender to flee.
The press reports that "the 46-year-old man is being investigated for the offences of assault, threats and unlawful entry into the 49-year-old woman's home". The SEPCBO stresses that in addition to these offences, the case in question constitutes an offence of gender-based violence against women. There is a specific law, the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and Related Matters Act, 2021 (Act 115(I)/2021), which should be referred to and utilized in these cases.
The press also refers to "prior complaint by the victim to the competent authorities". Was the victim's previous complaint against the alleged perpetrator taken into account and dealt with? Were protection orders issued in this regard? And if so, it demonstrates once again the lack/weakness of mechanisms to monitor and supervise compliance with protective orders, which is a factor in the escalation of violence against women. In this particular case, a third party intervened at the right moment and prevented a potential femicide.
Although there is a strong legal framework regarding domestic violence and violence against women, one wonders how we end up with yet another case of gender-based violence, where the failure to ensure the protection of a female victim of violence leaves her at the mercy of the perpetrator.
The professionals involved who are called upon to manage such serious cases should have all the necessary tools at their disposal to be able to effectively implement the provisions of the law. The issuance of protective orders should be accompanied by mechanisms to monitor and supervise them, with the aim of preventing the escalation of violence and ensuring the effective protection of victims.
(NZ/AF)
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