Cyprus recorded 3,322 domestic violence reports handled by provincial units in 2024, according to Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis in a parliamentary response to MP Alexandra Attalides.
Over 1,100 cases reported in first four months of 2025
From the 2024 cases, 1,300 criminal files were created and 703 cases were filed in court, the Justice Minister confirmed. Authorities issued 711 arrest warrants and 672 restraining orders for suspect exclusion or victim removal.
Between January and April 2025, provincial units investigated 1,135 additional domestic violence reports. Of these, 386 criminal files were opened and 283 cases filed in court, with 260 arrest warrants and 279 restraining orders issued.
Many cases go unreported making situation worse than statistics show
The Justice Minister noted that the situation appears even more concerning considering many other cases are never reported to authorities.
The response addressed Attalidou’s inquiry about implementation of domestic violence protocols in Cyprus.
Police protocol assesses risk levels for victim protection
The protocol was developed by police in 2018 to comply with Article 51 of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), ratified under Law 14(III)/2017.
“According to Article 21 of Law 115(I)/2021 on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, police conduct timely individual assessments of gender-based and domestic violence victims to evaluate risk and implement protective measures,” Hartsiotis explained.
The risk assessment evaluates the danger of lethality, severity of the situation, and risk of repeated violence to ensure appropriate risk management and coordinated safety and support for victims.
Depending on the assessment results – categorised as high, medium, or standard risk – corresponding risk management measures are implemented including arrest, detention, firearm removal, temporary restraining orders, immediate notification of social welfare services, and temporary alternative accommodation arrangements.
Since January 2018, police have adopted the Risk Assessment Protocol for Cases of Violence Between Former or Current Spouses, Cohabitants and Partners, which specifies that assessments must only be conducted by police officers who have received specialised training in protocol implementation.
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