Fifty women in Cyprus now have access to the “Elpis” mobile application that alerts police with the press of a button when they are in immediate danger of domestic violence.
The panic button has been activated twice since the app launched on 14 July 2025, with police responding within six minutes in both cases and preventing escalation of violence.
Police respond within six minutes to emergency calls through the app
The “Elpis” app allows domestic violence victims facing immediate danger to “silently” call police for help and protection when their physical integrity is threatened.
Speaking to Phileleftheros following the Cabinet’s approval on 27 August of the second annual report from the National Coordinating Body for Prevention and Combating Violence Against Women for 2024, the Justice Minister outlined government efforts to combat gender-based violence.
Significant progress was made in 2024 in preventing and combating violence against women, largely through the National Coordinating Body operating under the Justice Ministry, Hartsiotis said.
Training programmes were implemented for frontline health professionals and primary and secondary education teachers, with social services training planned nationwide.
The government also launched awareness campaigns covering all forms of violence against women contained in the Istanbul Convention and strengthened specialised police units handling domestic violence cases nationwide.
Pan-European support hotline 116 016 planned for 2026
The Justice Ministry plans to support operation of the pan-European telephone line 116 016 at national level, providing telephone assistance and guidance to victims of all forms of gender-based and domestic violence. A budget of €60,000 has been allocated for 2026 to establish the service.
The Istanbul Convention requires each state to operate a free, 24-hour confidential telephone support line for gender-based and domestic violence victims, accessible to all victims covered by the international treaty.
Victim support is provided through the multidisciplinary “Women’s House”, where professionals from all state services offer psychological, social and legal services using a victim-centred approach. Access to justice has been enhanced through legislation allowing free legal aid for domestic and gender-based violence victims.
Police statistics show domestic violence complaints rose from 275 in 2022 to 724 in 2023, before declining to 481 in 2024. The exact figures for 2025 are not yet available despite a large number of reported cases.
“Women victims of violence are not and should not feel alone,” Hartsiotis said, emphasising that help, structures and programmes exist to support violence victims.
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