A 16-year-old girl, who has been arrested in relation to the case involving the 64-year-old under arrest for sexual crimes, had been reported missing from a shelter until her arrest and may be a victim of sexual abuse. This situation raises concerns about the safety and care provided to children in such institutions.
The Social Welfare Services, responsible for the care of vulnerable children, stated that they are making every effort to meet the individual needs of each minor under their supervision. However, minors going missing from state shelters is not a new phenomenon.
According to a report by Phileleftheros, two girls now under police investigation had repeatedly gone missing from their Limassol shelter, with the most recent instance reported on August 4. One of the girls, aged 15, was found four days later, while the 16-year-old remained missing until her arrest.
Phileleftheros also reported that the police had no leads to locate the girl during her disappearance and that state services did not take adequate measures to prevent minors from going missing.
In response, the Social Welfare Services issued a press release dismissing these claims, stating that the girls had not been continuously missing and that the services had maintained contact with them in accordance with protocol, in cooperation with the authorities.
“According to the procedure and protocol in the cases when children are missing from establishments, without permission, constant communication with them is sought and in most cases, it is achieved,” the statement read.
Phileleftheros’ report suggests that the two girls were involved with two foreign individuals who are already in custody for a robbery initially reported by the 64-year-old. So far, six people have been detained in connection with the case, and an 18-year-old woman is wanted by the authorities.
In addition to the robbery, the police are investigating allegations of sexual abuse and harassment involving the two girls and an 18-year-old woman, with the robbery victim being the main suspect.
These investigations are being conducted with discretion due to the involvement of minors and protocols established after a past case involving a serial killer are being followed.
The commissioner for the protection of children’s rights highlighted that the problem with minors going missing from shelters is not new and children leave at will and are then reported as missing.
The Social Welfare Services, however, reportedly believe that allowing minors access to the outside world is essential for their socialisation and argue that they cannot keep them confined.
In response to criticism, the police have advised patience until the investigations are wrapped up, adding that there has been no delay in addressing the case.
The remand orders for the two minors and four adults involved are set to expire on Monday, at which point decisions will be made regarding the robbery aspect of the case.
The Social Welfare Services, in their press release responding to the Phileleftheros reports, reiterated their ongoing efforts to find solutions that meet the needs of the children in their care. They also noted that most children in the shelters respond adequately and consistently to both individual and group programmes.
The services further mentioned that discussions have begun for the creation of a closed facility for children with special needs and that a specialised day centre had opened this year, the results of which will be evaluated and announced at a later date.
