"Speak out." "Don't be afraid." "Break your silence."
The messages are familiar. Every awareness campaign on domestic and gender-based violence encourages women to report abuse, leave violent relationships and trust the authorities.
But what happens after a woman takes that step?
What happens when she needs a lawyer, a safe place to stay, financial support, or stability for herself and her children?
Evidence presented this week before the House Human Rights Committee suggests that, for many women, reporting abuse marks the begining of a second ordeal rather than the end of the first.
While the state encourages victims to come forward, organisations working on the front line say many women continue to encounter delays, legal obstacles, financial hardship and a lack of long-term support.
Nearly three in 10 withdraw legal aid applications
The most striking figures came from Dr Andri Andronikou, scientific director of the Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family (SPAVO).
Between June 2023 and 23 October 2026, 95 applications for free legal aid were submitted by women receiving support from the organisation.
Of those, 60 applications were examined and 42 were approved, either fully or partially.
However, 28 applications were withdrawn by the women themselves.
According to Andronikou, most withdrawals occur during the second or third court appearance, typically three to six months after the initial application is filed.
The figures concern legal aid applications rather than police complaints. Nonetheless, they illustrate how difficult even the first stages of the legal process can be for women attempting to escape abusive situations.
Long waiting periods, economic uncertainty and the burden of dealing with multiple crises simultaneously often leave victims exhausted before their cases move forward.
The decision to withdraw is not necessarily a sign that women no longer want justice. In many cases, it reflects the circumstances under which they are forced to continue living while pursuing it.
"She has a salary, she can hire a lawyer"
Andronikou also raised concerns about the reasons cited in some cases where legal aid was refused.
Examples included assessments that applicants received a salary, collected welfare benefits or did not have outstanding loans, and therefore could theoretically afford private legal representation.
In an earlier intervention, she referred to a case involving a woman earning just €600 per month who was denied legal aid.
Despite legislative amendments introduced in 2024 to improve access to justice for victims of domestic and gender-based violence, concerns remain about how the law is being applied.
Andronikou said socioeconomic assessments continue to be requested in some cases, raising questions about inconsistent implementation and legal ambiguity.
She also criticised what she described as fragmented support, with some women receiving assistance for certain proceedings but not for related matters such as divorce cases or financial claims.
The housing crisis facing survivors
Legal challenges are only part of the problem.
SPAVO warned of a growing incidence of homelessness and hidden homelessness among women leaving abusive relationships.
Some survivors move between shelters, temporary accommodation and relatives' homes without any permanent housing solution.
In 2025, the Women's House service handled 374 cases, including 153 new referrals.
Approximately 35 cases each year are classified as recurring, although this does not necessarily mean women returned to abusive partners. In some situations, violence and intimidation continue after separation.
More than 16,500 domestic violence reports
Police figures reveal the scale of the challenge.
Officially recorded domestic violence reports reached:
- 3,347 in 2021
- 3,082 in 2022
- 2,988 in 2023
- 3,439 in 2024
- 3,726 in 2025
Taken together, the figures amount to more than 16,500 reports over a five-year period.
The numbers do not represent individual victims, nor do all reports result in criminal prosecutions.
They do, however, underline the volume of cases reaching state services and the pressure placed on support systems.
The unresolved question, advocates say, is how many victims receive the help they need after reporting abuse.
Protection must follow identification
Speaking on behalf of the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies, Suzana Pavlou argued that authorities must move beyond simply identifying victims.
The real test, she said, is what happens afterwards.
Pavlou called for a review of existing procedures, protocols and responsibilities across government agencies to identify delays, overlaps and gaps in protection.
Representatives from the Office of the Commissioner for Administration echoed those concerns, pointing to bureaucracy, administrative inefficiencies and a lack of transparency regarding internal procedures.
They noted that victims are often expected to navigate systems without fully understanding their rights or the obligations of the authorities responsible for assisting them.
New promises and new tools
Deputy Minister for Social Welfare Tina Pavlou acknowledged shortcomings in coordination and said work has been completed on the operational framework for the Women's House, with expansion to other districts planned from 2027.
Justice Minister Costas Fytires announced that a tender for the new Red Flag platform will be launched on 10 November, with the system expected to become operational during the first quarter of 2027.
The platform is intended to facilitate information-sharing between agencies handling high-risk violence cases.
Yet participants at the committee meeting stressed that technology alone cannot compensate for staff shortages, procedural delays or the absence of holistic support services.
Beyond the complaint
The discussion in Parliament exposed a stark contradiction.
Women are encouraged to report abuse, leave violent homes and seek protection.
But too often, the support available after that first courageous step remains incomplete.
Real protection does not end when a complaint is filed.
It begins there.
And it is ultimately measured by whether the state remains alongside a woman long enough for her to rebuild her life.
