The “Elpis” application has proven vital in protecting women who need to call for help by pressing a red SOS button on their mobile phones when domestic situations escalate. However, some women are unable to activate the system in time. Police cited a recent case involving the wife of a wanted foreign national, who was repeatedly stabbed alongside her mother in an attempted murder.
A total of 457 women have installed the application on their phones since its launch in July 2025, according to data from the Sub-Directorate for Management of Cases of Vulnerable Persons (YDVEP). YDVEP head Evi Nicolaou said 27 women have used the app over the past year.
In 2025, victims pressed the red button 14 times, resulting in seven cases in Nicosia, five in Limassol, and two in Larnaca. In 2026, 13 incidents have been recorded so far, with six in Nicosia, six in Limassol, and one in Paphos.
“The Police response through the ELPIS application is overall assessed as immediate, effective, and adequately coordinated,” Nicolaou said.
She added that the immediate activation of the notification mechanism through the SOS button, combined with automatic location tracking, enables rapid mobilization of officers to assist victims.
Access to the application is restricted. Nicolaou said women can obtain the app after reporting a domestic violence incident to the police or by submitting an application form available on the Cyprus Police website to the District Domestic Violence Investigation Units.
Police response times currently average six to seven minutes from the moment a victim presses the button. The distress signal is transmitted directly to a duty officer’s system, who immediately alerts the nearest patrol car based on the victim’s location tracking data. Officers took up to 12 minutes to arrive in one case due to the distance involved.
Nicolaou described the application as a significant and innovative initiative for tackling domestic abuse in Cyprus. She noted that it serves as a critical tool for victims when a phone call or a physical visit to a station is impossible due to the presence of the abuser in the same room.
The operation of the system remains under continuous evaluation to identify potential weaknesses or practical issues. Nicolaou stated that the general performance is positive, but a comprehensive data review will take place if improvements are required.
The latest figures come amidst high levels of domestic abuse reporting, with police receiving 3,782 domestic violence complaints across Cyprus in 2025.
According to YDVEP data, the complaints filed with the district Criminal Investigation Departments (CID) broke down as follows:
- Nicosia: 1,027
- Larnaca: 1,006
- Limassol: 760
- Famagusta: 587
- Paphos: 339
- Morphou: 63