Data from the Cyprus Police reveals 17 femicides occurred between 2020 and 2025, alongside two attempted cases in 2026. In response, authorities are scaling up shelter infrastructure, professional training, and free legal aid to protect domestic violence victims.

Alarming Statistics on Gender-Based Violence

Seventeen femicides were committed in Cyprus between 2020 and 2025, while two attempted femicide cases were committed in 2026, according to data provided by the Police to CNA on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Aristos Tsiartas, Head of the National Coordinating Body for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women at the Ministry of Justice, told CNA that 300 women and 347 children were accommodated in shelters for victims of violence in Cyprus in 2025.

Police data show that five femicides were committed in 2020, five in 2021, two in 2022, one in 2023, one in 2024 and three in 2025. According to the Police, of the 17 femicide committed in Cyprus in the previous five years, six were committed in Nicosia, one in Larnaca, six in Limassol and four in Paphos.

State Action and Specialized Training

Tsiartas told CNA that the National Coordinating Body plans and promotes measures, actions and policies, aiming at the prevention and effective response to gender-based violence at national level.

In this context, he continued, it has carried out specialised training for approximately 200 professionals from the sectors of health, education, social policy and justice, while in the immediate future it is planning the training of about 100 members of the Police.

Moreover, he said that the National Coordinating Body implements campaigns to inform and raise public awareness regarding gender-based violence, the rights of victims and the available support services.

Expanding Legal Aid and Victim Support Channels

In addition, Tsiartas said that the National Coordinating Body promotes the operation of the European support telephone number 116016 for victims of gender-based violence, financially supports the actions of Non-Governmental Organisations and supports the operation of the 24-hour helpline of the Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family.

The state, he continued, provides financial support and legal assistance to victims of gender-based and domestic violence, noting that on the basis of amended legislation which came into force in 2024 victims of gender-based and domestic violence are now recognised as a distinct category of beneficiaries of free legal aid.

"This specific amendment to the law on legal aid removes significant financial and procedural obstacles faced by victims of violence and strengthens their access to justice and the protection of their rights," he concluded.

Source: CNA(ΚΥΠΕ)