in-cyprus 12 September 2023 - by Annie Charalambous
Cyprus is to promptly implement its commitment to have in operation the EU-wide helpline number for women who are victims of violence, Philenews reported on Tuesday.
Aristos Tsiartas who heads the Human Rights Sector of Anticriminal and Correctional Policy at the Ministry of Justice was referring to the 116016 helpline.
This initiative was undertaken in the context of the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2020 and was supported by a total of 15 countries – including Cyprus.
Tsiartas also said that, in recent years, the prolonged pandemic crisis and beyond has led to an increase in incidents of domestic and gender-based violence in Europe and worldwide.
And that this means that immediate, coordinated and comprehensive measures to protect and support victims are a must.
The establishment of a uniform helpline number across Europe, 116016, will enable victims of violence to have immediate and free access to specialised support and assistance services.
“Any day and time of the week, wherever they are in Europe,” he also said.
