Mitsotakis: “Women – victims of abuse should trust the Greek Police”

The Kallithea Police Department, which houses one of the 18 Operational Offices for Dealing with Domestic Violence that have been integrated into AT across the country, was earlier visited by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Accompanied by the Minister of Citizen Protection, Takis Theodorikakos, the Deputy Minister, Lefteris Oikonomou and the leader of EL.AS., Konstantinos Skoumas, the Prime Minister had a discussion with the head of the Office, Second Constable Melina Rokidis and the head of department Anestis Sapounas.

“We had the opportunity yesterday to present our overall plan to deal with violence, especially domestic violence, with victims of course primarily women. I am glad that we have so many worthy Greek policewomen. It matters a lot, obviously, when it comes to a woman meeting a woman. I think you can talk differently, it’s much easier to help her break the silence, because we’re talking about very difficult cases, we’re talking about women who are under a lot of psychological pressure obviously. And they need to feel comfortable and safe. Everything we do, from human resources to the reception area, aims to build trust. Because if there is trust and the victims of abuse trust the Greek Police, that they will handle these incidents with discretion and absolute professionalism, then we will have achieved something very important”, noted the Prime Minister.

“We are now enabling victims to speak safely. That’s the difference. Domestic violence has always existed. Now we have the courage, all of us, and the state but especially the victims, to speak, to lift up and look at what is under the carpet”, said Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“The offices have dealt with 3,000 incidents out of the 10,000 that the entire Police has dealt with. So we definitely need more than double the number of offices, which we are preparing and we hope again for the help of the private sector, especially in Papastratos”, said the Minister of Citizen Protection Takis Theodorikakos, adding that from the testimonies of the policemen it appears “that there is much greater trust now in the Police”.

“I think it is very important to cultivate this trust even more,” the prime minister stressed. “Trust must be total towards the state and its structures, especially when it comes to the core of the state function, which is none other than the protection of human life. This is the most important mission of the state.”

During the discussion, Kyriakos Mitsotakis was informed about the operation and responsibilities of the Department, such as the way victims are received, their treatment practices and the cooperation with the 24-hour SOS 15900 line. The president and CEO of the Department also participated in the discussion of Papastratos company, Christos Harpantidis, who has donated all the furniture that makes up the 18 Domestic Violence Offices in the country.

Tools for dealing with domestic violence

In total, 73 Staff Departments and 18 Operational Offices for Dealing with Domestic Violence have been established and are operating in the territory, in which 403 officers serve. The staffing and operational structures are preferably and where possible, staffed with degrees in legal, social or humanitarian studies.

At the same time, a number of training programs have been implemented by the Hellenic Police Headquarters, in collaboration with co-competent agencies, for the thorough training of both those serving in the staff and operational Domestic Violence Countering Offices as well as other police officers who are involved in any way in the management of domestic violence cases .

A few days ago, the Panic Button digital application pilot program was also established. The app enables women in immediate danger to alert the Hellenic Police via the silent push of a button on their mobile phone in the event of domestic violence incidents, automatically sending location details to locate them.

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