Woman Alleges Poor Police Response to Domestic Violence in Greece

A 35-year-old mother of two has shared a distressing account of her alleged treatment by the Agioi Anargyroi police station when she sought help for domestic violence. The woman claims that despite having filed three previous complaints against her partner, no arrests were made.

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And covered in blood as I was, because the children were crying, I went to the police. I entered covered in blood, I told them “I can’t take it anymore.” They know me, the police have become like a second home to me. As soon as I enter, they know who I am. But still, nothing was done that night.

She recounted arriving at the station covered in blood, stating, "I was covered in blood, because the children were crying, I went to the police. I entered covered in blood, I told them 'I can't take it anymore.' They know me, the police have become like a second home to me. As soon as I enter, they know who I am."

Despite her condition and their recognition of her, she alleges that nothing was done that evening. Instead, she claims officers drove her home and told her to lock the door and call 100 again if anything happened. She expressed disbelief, questioning why she should call 100 when she was already at the police station.

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The only thing that happened was they brought me home with the patrol car, even though there was no reason to, because I had my car, and they went upstairs to see if he was here. I told them he wouldn't be, since a complaint had been filed. And they told me to lock the door and, if something happened, to call 100 again.

The woman further stated that the perpetrator was in a state of "autoforo" (caught in the act) and that she knew where he could be found. However, she claims officers did not apprehend him, despite her providing his location in a public space. She alleges that officers suggested she provoke him into attacking her again to facilitate an arrest, a suggestion she found unacceptable.

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Call 100.

She draws a parallel to the case of Kyriaki Griva, a woman murdered two years prior, suggesting she received the same response from the same police station: "Call 100." The woman feels that nothing has changed and that women's lives are at risk due to such responses.

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For me, I think nothing has changed. At least for me, the treatment I received from them, I think it's the same. The same answer: “Call 100.” But why should I call 100? I am already at the police station.