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| Saints Anargyri: The unanswered questions of a tragedy |
The areas of uncertainty and inadequacies within police department organization are being highlighted as approximately 10,000 victims of domestic violence came forward by 2023.
Calls to action such as "Now I'm talking", "Break the silence", "Don't hesitate", and "You are not alone" from both the General Directorate for Gender Equality and the Police are urging victims of domestic violence to reach out to authorities when they feel endangered.
In 2023, thousands of women stepped forward, reporting incidents of domestic violence. Specifically, from January 1 to October 30 of that year, authorities across Greece received reports of 9,860 incidents, with 8,409 involving female victims.
However, the question arises: what happens when victims speak out but fail to find the protection they desperately need?
The tragic incidents involving a 28-year-old murdered outside the Police Station of Aghii Anargyro and a 43-year-old fatally attacked in her father's house in Salamina underscore the inadequacies within police departments and domestic violence units. These units are tasked with safeguarding and guiding victims of domestic violence and their children, according to Zefi Dimadama, General Secretary of Equality and Human Rights.
Dimadama emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive examination of the failures and gaps within police services and related ministries, including the Ministry of Citizen Protection, Social Cohesion and Family, and Justice, in order to devise a unified strategy for protecting victims of gender-based violence.
Despite campaigns urging victims not to fear speaking out, experienced lawyers note that the law is often not upheld. Instances where victims report threats or violence and are dissuaded from pursuing legal action are not uncommon.
The current legal framework, such as N 30500/2006, which mandates certain actions upon reporting domestic violence, is frequently disregarded. Lawyers report that even when cases are filed, alleged perpetrators are seldom arrested, and protective measures for victims are lacking.
Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis stresses the importance of thoroughly investigating incidents like the murder of the 28-year-old woman outside the Agioi Anargyroi Police Station. He emphasizes the need to scrutinize police protocols and actions to ensure they adhere to established procedures.
Furthermore, the GREVIO has urged Greek authorities to implement systematic, gender-sensitive risk assessments and security measures in all cases of violence against women, as outlined in the Istanbul Convention. They also advocate for retrospective reviews of gender-based killings to identify institutional and judicial gaps and prevent future tragedies.
