In every adult victim of domestic violenceregardless of gender, throughout the country, will now be granted the “Panic Button”according to the Joint Ministerial Decision of the Ministers of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou and the Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Maria-Alexandras Kefala.

The expansion of the Panic Button application was an urgent need, given the extent and intensity of domestic violence incidents.

It is recalled that its implementation had started as a pilot in Athens and Thessaloniki and was aimed exclusively at women.

What is Panic Button?

“Panic Button” is an application sponsored by the Police Departments and Counseling Centers of the Network of Structures of the General Secretariat for Equality and Human Rights of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family.

Through the mobile phone and with the push of a button, any adult who is in serious danger can immediately and safely inform EL.AS.

The application works as a silent alarm, as the attacker does not perceive the EL.AS notification. from the victim.

The Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, said: “The expansion of the use of the “Panic Button” application throughout the Greek territory was one of our first priorities for strengthening the protection of citizens and dealing with phenomena of domestic violence. This application now gives victims of domestic violence, regardless of gender, the possibility to ask for help, directly and discreetly. Both the Ministry of Citizen Protection and the Greek Police stand by the victims, in order to provide them with the necessary support and protection, immediately and effectively mobilizing the security forces in cases of violence. We are constantly updating and strengthening our actions for the protection of victims. In this context, we have secured the specially configured “safe houses” for the accommodation of victims of domestic violence”.

The Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, said: “The extension of the Panic Button to every adult victim of domestic violence, regardless of gender, throughout the country, proves two things. The first is that as a tool it has indeed been instrumental in uncovering cases of domestic violence. And secondly, precisely because of its positive contribution to the disclosure of such incidents, the Government is proceeding with its expansion, so as to cover the entire population. Our fight to address domestic violence remains constant.”

The Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, said: “Panic Button” is a typical example of how the State, using technology, can implement interventions that save lives, as they contribute to the prevention and response to incidents of violence, but also to the care and victim support. Through modern technological solutions, the State recovers the trust of citizens, a particularly critical resource, especially when it comes to incidents of domestic violence. The extension of this application to every adult victim of domestic violence, regardless of gender, throughout the country, proves that the Government is moving on the basis of a horizontal and comprehensive planning and is vigilant to protect everyone from incidents of violence.”

Finally, the Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion & Family, Maria-Alexandra Kefala, said: “The expansion of Panic Button was necessary and imperative. Already since its pilot application, it has proven to be an effective tool in the fight against domestic violence, as it has so far been protective for the women who have used it. Our goal is to help every victim of domestic violence speak up and reach out to government services, stepping up our efforts to break this vicious cycle and create a culture of zero tolerance for violence, wherever it occurs, from whoever it comes from.”