Elpis app, to help victims of domestic violence contact the police off the offenders’ radar, will be up and running in the first half of 2025, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday.
In a statement to mark the world day against domestic violence, Christodoulides said the app was launched on Monday on a pilot basis, as part of the 2023-2028 national strategy to prevent and combat violence against women.
He added that addressing violence against women was at the centre of his government’s policy.
“Together we are building a safe society where no form of violence is tolerated, a society in which every woman, every girl, can live freely without fear or shame,” the president said.
Justice Minister Marios Hartiotis said earlier on Monday that the new app to help women in danger and in need of help will be released on a pilot basis in the next few days, describing violence against women as a serious violation of human rights.
“Gender-based violence is one of the most serious violations of human rights of women and girls worldwide. It reflects unequal power relations, between men and women, which are reinforced by fixed stereotypes and prejudices prevalent in society around gender roles,” he said to mark International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women.
After running as pilot, the Elpis (Hope) app will be fully operational in the first half of 2025 to help domestic violence victims and protect them on a 24 hour basis.
The app is designed specifically for victims of domestic violence, who are at increased risk of violence and need to contact the police immediately without being noticed by the perpetrator.
The ministry, through the National Coordinating Body for Gender-Based Violence, promotes a series of actions to prevent, inform and raise awareness among professionals and civil society around the problem of gender-based violence, he added.
It is currently running the Gender Violence is Hiding in Front of Us in cooperation with the Commissioner for Gender Equality to promote the message that no form of violence should be ignored in today’s society.
