One in five women in Cyprus has been a victim of physical or/and sexual violence, according to figures given out during a conference here today to mark the start of a campaign to combat violence against women and girls.
Director of the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies Susana Pavlou presented police statistics, which show an increasing trend in reports of violence in the family. In 2011 there were 719 cases while in 2013 they increased to 777, she said.
The majority of cases involved physical violence (72.7%), followed by psychological violence (24.5%) and sexual violence.
She added that during the past 10 years, there have been more than 30 murders of women by their partners or ex-partners.
Pavlou told the conference that there is an increase in rape cases and sexual assault. She noted that between 2010 and 2013 117 rapes and 7 attempted rapes were reported.
In her address, Commissioner of Administration and Human Rights (Ombudswoman) Eliza Savvidou said the awareness campaign against violence aims to spread the clear message of zero tolerance of violence against women and girls.
It also aims, she said, to a change in social attitudes and beliefs that make violent behavior tolerable, and will mainly address men and boys (12 years and above) highlighting the crucial role they can play in preventing and combating violence against women.
The representative of the advertising company Contact Grey Lia Flourentzou explained the communication strategy of the campaign that will run in the television, in radios, in the internet, as well as in printed messages.