The House plenum on Thursday greenlit a law that affords free legal aid to women who are victims of abuse and to victims of domestic violence.
Under the legislation, women who are victims of abuse and victims of domestic violence are now eligible for free legal assistance for any legal proceedings related to such a case that is being heard before a district court. This includes being represented by a lawyer when filing a compensation claim against the perpetrator.
It also covers any application filed with a court by the victim, including for settling disputes with the perpetrator of the violence, on matters of custody and childcare.
Further, any woman who is a victim of violence and who lives in a shelter for women can produce an affirmation – signed by a relevant government agency – that she resides in such a facility, and based on this a court will grant the person access to free legal aid.
Where cases go to an appeals court, legal aid to such persons may continue being provided after they have been means tested.
The updated legislation aims to simplify procedures for providing legal aid to those in need.
In remarks on the House floor, Akel MP Giorgos Koukoumas said that at long last victims of domestic abuse are not being left to their own devices.
“We often tell victims to break their silence, but this is rendered meaningless unless the state can convince the victims it will stand by them and support them,” he said.
“When a woman has been abused and has to leave her home, she faces a mountain of expenses for legal battles.”
The updated legislation is intended to fall in line with the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw).
