The data of the General Secretariat for Demographic and Family Policy and Gender Equality on registered cases of domestic violence are indicative. via “SOS 15900” line in the first seven months of 2022, at a time when the phenomenon femicides grows not only in Greece, but also in Europe.

In particular, from January of this year to July, the number of calls to the hotline “SOS 15900” on the facts of domestic violence amounted to 2090characteristic is the fact that only over the past two monthsi.e. in June and July, 708 calls were made.

As can be seen from his report cathimerini.gralmost all calls are made associated with the abuse of women by their husbands or partners. In fact, in most cases (about 70%) the complaints were submitted by the abused women themselves, while in the remaining cases they came from third parties such as relatives or friends and neighbors.

As for the type of abuse, the first on the list is physicalwhile it should psychological, verbal and finally economic.

“We are finding that there is now awareness of these issues. More and more people are opening their mouths and reporting cases of abuse involving themselves or those they know. There is a desire in society for these situations to be identified, which is very important.” said performance at kathimerini.grMs. Calypso Gula, Secretary General of the Department of Demographic and Family Policy and Gender Equality.

Profile of victims and perpetrators

For victim profiles who call the SOS 15900 line to report cases of abuse, evidence shows that in most of them they married women with children, most of whom do not work.

On the contrary, if we tried to draw criminal profileIt can be seen from the data that in most cases it is employed men are workers with a relatively good financial situation.

“Compared to previous years, there have been more complaints, especially after the pandemic. Long dates have led to unusual reactions, and many relationships have been tested. People now speak more easily and are looking for ways to denounce abusive behavior and find support, because it is not enough just to say something, the state must also be able to give you help and support. That is why counseling centers also have specialized staff such as psychologists and sociologists.” Mrs Gula explains.

Supporting Structures and Risk Tool

As she notes, there is a network of support structures operating throughout Greece, which includes 44 counseling centers It employs sociologists, psychologists and legal advisers, and these are points to which anyone who has been a victim of violence can run to activate the defense mechanism. At the same time there 19 guest houses which act as reception and protection structures for abused women and their children.

“The hostels are private. Victims are informed of their whereabouts when they visit the counseling centre.” noted the Secretary General of the Department of Demographic and Family Policy and Gender Equality, adding that in recent years the crime of domestic and gender violence is an ex officio crime. “This means that no one has to pay a commission or ask for a concession. A complaint is filed, the offender is sought within the autophoros, and the procedural order is observed. At the same time, in the context of our actions, they have memorandums of cooperation with bar associations to provide victims with legal advice and guidance. In addition, there is also an online website WomenSOS where to find information and advice.

The Secretary General of the Department for Demographic and Family Policy and Gender Equality, Ms. Calypso Gula, also mentioned “tool of danger”a pilot program is currently being implemented in three municipalities (Kavala, Peristeri and Heraklion), in connection with which it is noted:Essentially, it is a questionnaire that aims to enable the police officer or sociologist to understand, through a series of questions, the degree of risk to which the victim of abuse is exposed, so that the actions to be taken are immediate and valuable time is less wasted. not in vain”.