30 women killed by partners in past 15 years in Cyprus

More than 30 women have been murdered by their partners or former partners in Cyprus in the past 15 years, testifying to a worrying rise in violence against women.

This was revealed in the House Human Rights Committee which on Monday discussed cabinet’s decision to set up a ‘House for Women’ for victims of domestic violence.

The committee heard that 89% of reported domestic violence cases in 2017 concerned women. The help line for domestic violence victims (1440) received 12,833 calls. In 2018, there were 14,404 calls to the help line.

European Union figures show that one in three women aged 15 and over are victims of domestic violence, while 55% of these was a victim of sexual violence at least once.

Equality Commissioner Iosifina Antoniou said 80% of the victims were women, 10% were men and the remaining 10% were elderly people and children.

The planned House of Women will offer support from police officers, psychologists and other experts who will handle cases of domestic violence.

In-Cyprus