Filenews 10 December 2022
The numbers for domestic and intimate partner violence are shocking with data showing an increase of 735 cases each year, while eight cases of gender-based and intimate partner violence occur every day.
The pandemic aggravated the situation and according to the scientific director of SPAVO (Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family) Dr. Andri Andronikou, during the period of the movement ban, there were husbands who threatened their women that they would leave them out of the home to be exposed to the virus, or took their mobile phones so that they could not report the violence they received.
Although this year's data on complaints received by SPAVO are not ready, however, Ms. Andronikou estimates that they will fluctuate above last year's 2,800, since the increasing trend of recent years continues. Also, security and hospitality was offered to abused women and children as follows: 2020 to 657, 2021 to 661, 2022 to 758.
As Mrs. Andronikou pointed out, the pandemic brought to the surface an already existing problem and did not create it. Violence pre-existed in the family and partner environment, but confinement at home for a long time with the perpetrator made the problem more visible, increased the frequency, intensity and danger. Similarly, women were isolated from social life, the working zone and social support. We have reached the point where we handle 10 new cases every day, she stressed.
With the first case, we immediately informed in a letter to the late Minister of Labour about the plan we should follow in order to keep all services open but also to provide additional tools for women and children to access for help. It responded immediately positively, enabling us to implement the Agency's policy design without considering its cost and impact if lives would be lived.
In addition, access services for victims were created, such as the National Hotline for SMS and Live Chat for people who could not speak, the shelters were expanded with the alternative shelters where with specific criteria and following guidelines for the safety of victims, specially equipped and safe spaces were rented, we created the social service of the Organization to provide additional and systematically organized social support, while we developed in the immediate future the therapeutic program of the perpetrators. Similarly, within the shelters we operated a new service for the care and education of children. We also took advantage of the technology where the possibility for teleconsultation was given.
We had to strengthen our programs with additional scientific staff, since all services are provided on a 24-hour basis, 365 days a year. During this time we developed new tools and management manuals while all the staff had a 24-hour commute and they all remained in the workplace supporting all those who needed us.
But the pandemic has confronted us with new practices of manipulating the perpetrators. Many of them restricted women from accessing information about the virus by withholding their mobile phone and restricting access to radio and television while others misinformed victims, leading them to call the National Helpline 1440 to receive timely information.
Similarly, many women reported that they received threats that they would be taken out of the house and left exposed to the virus, others that they were denied access to self-protection in order to be exposed to the virus, and others that the perpetrator had taken their car and house keys, effectively trapped in their own home.
According to the assessment of the scientific director of SPAVO, in any social crisis the existing social problems are maximized, putting women and children at increased risk. In the last two years, the pandemic has confronted us with the management of more than 5,500 cases. Similarly, the hospitality of people whose lives are in danger at the moment is in the largest number of guests than ever before in the 30 years of operation of SPAVO.
According to the presentation made at the event, the common characteristics of perpetrators are:
• They present a common plan of control and abusive behaviour.
• Stereotypical perceptions of the traditional image of male superiority and the role of men in the family.
• Believe the relevant myths of abuse of women.
• Minimize the impact of abuse on victims.
• They feel the need for control and power.
• High levels of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, lack of self-confidence and a sense of personal weakness.
• Social maladaptability.
• Lack of empathy.
• Jealousy and suspicion.
Also, according to data cited, the picture with femicides in Cyprus is as follows:
1966 - 1982 32 cases
2010 - 2016 28 cases
2019 - 2020 13 cases, including two girls.
25% of incidents are reported
According to data cited by Ms. Andronikou, in 2019 1384 incidents of domestic-intimate partner violence reached SPAVO, in 2020 another 2147, and in 2021 2854 were recorded. For this year it is estimated that the incidents will exceed last year's.
At the same time, the dimension of the problem in Cyprus is described today as follows: 85%-87% of the victims are women, while only 25% of cases are reported. The victims belong to all socio-economic – educational – religious strata. Also, victims will go through the cycle of violence from 8 to 10 times to ask for help, while the shocking thing is that they will be abused up to 30 times before calling for help.
Worldwide, as mentioned, every 9 seconds a woman is abused. Three to four million women are also beaten every year. Abuse occurs at all ages, borders, nations, races, or social and educational classes.
* The presentation took place at an event of the Avant-garde Women's Club on "Violence against Women in Times of Peace and War" and speakers were Gender Expert from the office of the Commissioner for Gender Equality Mrs. Andri Savva, the Scientific Director of SPAVO Dr. Andri Andronikou and with the participation of the Commissioner for Gender Equality and the support of the National Mechanism for Women's Rights. The Director of the Press Office, Andreas Iosif, was present on behalf of the President of the Republic.
INTERVENTION
There is now help
The constant increase in incidents of violence in the family shows two things. Firstly, that the silence has been broken and such incidents are more easily reported, and secondly, that despite the penalties some continue to behave with this unacceptable and reprehensible behaviour.
The state has an obligation to support all structures that are a balm to the souls of abused women and children and at the same time to proceed with prevention programs of such incidents. Where there are incidents of violence, there should also be state intervention. The important thing is that women who receive violence are no longer alone, have support and should not tolerate such behaviours because they feel insecure. It is inconceivable that a woman should be abused more than 20-30 times before they get to the point of speaking out. There is help today and that is the most important thing.
