Between 2020 and 2025, Cyprus recorded 17 femicides, while two attempted femicides have already been reported in 2026.
At the same time, in 2025 alone, 300 women and 347 children required accommodation in support facilities for victims of violence across Cyprus.
Domestic violence is one of the most painful forms of violence because it occurs where protection, trust and love should exist. Its consequences do not end in the present. They follow victims throughout their lives, leaving wounds that are often difficult to heal.
Following the two recent attempted femicides in Cyprus, one in Limassol, where a police officer shot his wife with his service weapon before taking his own life, and another in Nicosia, where a man allegedly attacked his wife and mother-in-law before fleeing, Politis revisits the issue of domestic violence.
This time, the focus is on the warning signs that appear before violence becomes visible, not only from the perspective of the victim but also of the potential perpetrator.
Dr Panayiota Christodoulou, president of the Cyprus Registration Council for Professional Social Workers and lecturer in Social Work at Frederick University, explains how abuse can be recognised before it becomes visible and how those around a victim can help.
As she points out, "there is no specific profile of a woman who experiences domestic violence. The phenomenon affects women of all ages, educational backgrounds and socioeconomic circumstances. However, common patterns emerge, such as delays in seeking help because of fear, financial dependence, children or social stigma."
She adds that violence "rarely begins with physical abuse and often develops gradually, starting with control, jealousy and isolation."
Less visible indicators may include low self-esteem, severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal from family and friends, and difficulty recognising or disclosing that abuse is taking place.
Warning signs and the role of family and friends
Gradual social isolation, distancing from friends and relatives, fear when speaking about a partner, and a constant need to explain one's movements or seek approval even for simple daily decisions are among the warning signs of abuse.
"Frequent cancellations of plans, sudden mood changes, excessive vigilance and injuries accompanied by vague explanations are also worrying indicators," Christodoulou explains.
"No single sign proves abuse on its own. However, when these signs appear together and persist, careful communication is needed, without criticism or pressure."
Asked what people should do when they suspect abuse but the victim is not yet ready to speak or seek help, Christodoulou stresses that the most important thing is helping the person understand that they are not alone.
"They need to know there is someone who will listen without judgement. Pressure, persistent questioning or urging them to leave immediately can have the opposite effect. The decision must come when they themselves feel safe."
She says a calm conversation in a secure environment can help, as can reassurance that they are believed and that the violence is not their fault.
Actions that could increase the danger should be avoided, including confronting the perpetrator directly or sharing suspicions with third parties without the victim's consent.
Why victims stay
The decision to leave an abusive relationship or report violence is far more complicated than society often assumes.
"Fear of escalation is a major factor, but it is not the only one," Christodoulou says.
Financial dependence, children, lack of safe housing, the absence of a support network, shame, stigma and hope that the partner will change all play a role.
Abuse itself gradually erodes a victim's confidence.
"Constant humiliation, control and manipulation can make a woman feel guilty or even believe that she is responsible. In order to leave, she must first feel that safety, practical support and genuine options exist."
Christodoulou notes that many women eventually normalise the abuse they experience.
According to her, perpetrators often shift responsibility onto the victim. When this is repeatedly combined with periods of remorse and promises to change, a vicious cycle develops that makes it increasingly difficult for women to trust their own judgement or clearly recognise the danger.
Breaking the Cycle of Violence
Nektarios Kallonas, head of the Proteas self-control and domestic violence prevention programme, explains how intervention programmes can create conditions for change.
The programme aims to give perpetrators, or those at risk of becoming perpetrators, the tools to recognise their mistakes, manage their anger and break the cycle of violence.
Its greatest value, he says, lies in the lives it has helped protect.
400 participants
Over the past six years, approximately 400 adults have participated in the programme.
Only a small number relapsed into violent behaviour and subsequently returned to the programme, which follows practices applied across Europe and continues to be upgraded through European partnerships.
Currently, 75 people are actively participating, including 20 women in cases relating to violence against children.
Among them are couples who participate individually in the programme, each undertaking their own personal effort toward change.
Behind the statistics are stories of struggle, accountability and transformation.
People who chose to change direction and become better for themselves, their partners and their children.
"No one can know how many victims have been spared," Kallonas says.
"But we can be certain that every person who learned to control their anger and every child who grew up in a safer home represents a victory that never appears in statistics."
Prevention
"The programme was created primarily to ensure the safety of victims of domestic violence, including children and partners," Kallonas explains.
"We help people who use violence, or who are at risk of using violence, understand their behaviour, recognise its consequences and take responsibility for their actions."
Voluntary participation increasing
Not all participants are referred by police, social welfare services or the courts.
"There are also people who contact us themselves through the 1406 helpline, and recently we have seen an increase in this group," he says.
Behind every participant is a personal journey.
Some arrived after police reports or interventions by authorities, while others sought help voluntarily after recognising that their anger was becoming difficult to control.
For the staff of Proteas, every case is different, but the objective remains the same: ending the cycle of violence and creating a safer environment for children, partners and families.
The Proteas team consists of forensic and clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers who provide assessment and counselling services either in person or remotely.
The duration of the programme is two years.
"The beginning is always difficult. But from the moment someone asks for help, they have already recognised that a problem exists. That is the first step, and from there we work on the remaining issues."
Confidentiality is only broken if there is evidence of an imminent risk of violence or self-destructive behaviour, in which case the relevant authorities are informed.
The profile of a perpetrator
Asked whether there is a recognisable profile of an abuser, Kallonas says it is extremely difficult to identify one.
"We had a participant who appeared to society as an excellent person. But once the door of the house closed, everything changed. It is difficult to identify common characteristics."
In many cases, perpetrators experienced abuse themselves during childhood.
However, other factors may also contribute to violent behaviour, including financial difficulties, communication problems, infidelity and addictions.
When the truth emerges
People who commit violence often succeed in hiding their behaviour.
"We had a case where, when the woman finally spoke about what was happening, nobody believed her. Later, the truth emerged. Through the programme, the man himself eventually began admitting incidents of abuse that he had initially minimised."
According to Kallonas, the aim is for participants to trust the programme and commit to change so they can provide safety for their partners and children.
He is clear that no form of violence is ever acceptable.
"They had no right to use violence, whether it was a slap, a push, a beating, or verbal, financial or psychological abuse."
"I am not an ally of their actions. I am an ally in their effort to change."
