‘Panic button’ to be rolled out for domestic violence cases

There is a steep rise in domestic violence cases, and efforts to roll out a ‘panic button’ to help victims should be ready in the next three months, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said on Monday.

During a session at the House human rights committee, he specified the panic button, known as ‘Elpis’ (hope) will be rolled out in pilot form three months from now, and ready for the broader public in February 2025.

The app aims to allow domestic violence victims to discreetly notify the police of their abuse, undetected by their abuser.

Hartsiotis stressed domestic violence is a serious issue plaguing mostly women, with cases shooting upwards in the past few years.

In 2018, there were 1,027 cases reported while in 2020 there were 2,002 cases. By 2022 there were 3,129 cases and in 2023 there were 3,010.

For the first six months of 2024, Hartsiotis said there were 1,588 cases.

Police must be on-the-ready at all times to intervene immediately and effectively, he added. “There is no scope anymore to not answer any calls. The last femicide was the drop that spilled the cup.”

Costs for the ‘panic button’ are undertaken by Cyta in collaboration with police, the minister said.

Andri Andronikou, from Spavo NGO for domestic violence, said they were left with €10,000, calling on the justice ministry for assistance.

“Right now, we’re struggling to cope.”

The helpline Spavo offers costs €250,000 and the ministry offers €10,000, she said.

Andronikou told MPs that in 2023, it dealt with 4,000 cases of domestic violence and violence against women.