Administrative data sources on GBV in
Administrative data sources
- Administrative data sourceCyprusViolence
Statistical products
Legal Definitions
- CyprusViolence, JusticeIntimate Partner Violence
In Cyprus, intimate partner violence is recognised only within the context of "violence in the family", which means any act, omission or behaviour which causes physical, sexual or mental injury to any member of the family by another member of the family and includes violence used for the purpose of having sexual intercourse without the consent of the victim as well as of restricting its freedom.
ObservationsMember of the family can mean a husband and wife who have been legally married whether the marriage still exists or not, or cohabiting partners; the parents of the cohabiting spouses; the children and/or grandchildren of cohabiting partners and their parents or any person residing with the aforementioned persons. Violence between homosexual couples is not recognised.
The law also clarifies that rape can be committed within marriage.
Legal Source:The Violence in the Family (Prevention and Protection of Victims) Law 119(I) of 2000 and 212(I) of 2004
Legal provisions on protection orders:Violence in the Family (Prevention and Protection of Victims) Law, Article 22:
- The Court may, upon application by a member of the family or by the police or by the prosecutor or by the Attorney-General of the Republic or by a Family Counsellor or by another person acting on behalf of any of the above, issue an interim order restraining the suspect or for the removal of the minor victim until a criminal case against the accused for the criminal offence of violence is filed and tried. Interim order restraining the suspect or removing the victim.
- The Court shall issue an order, at any time, upon an application accompanied by an affidavit sworn by the victim or, in the case of a minor victim, by any other person who is in a position to have direct knowledge of the facts or by any other evidence, causing a prima facie risk for use or repetition of violence, including statements of the victim or other persons in any form, certificates, confirmations and other evidence under this or any other Law.
Article 23: The Court may issue against a person charged for the commission of any offence of violence, under this Law, an order valid for such period and upon such conditions as it may impose, prohibiting such person to enter or remain in the marital home. Such an order shall be called “a restraining order”
- CyprusViolence, JusticeRape
Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a female, without her consent, or with the consent, if the consent is obtained by force or fear of bodily harm, or, in the case of a married woman, by personating her husband, is guilty of the felony termed rape.
Legal Source:Criminal Code, Section 144
Legal provisions on protection orders:There are no special protective measures for victims of rape either during the investigation or during the prosecution.
- CyprusViolence, JusticeSexual Assault (excl. rape)
In Cyprus, the term "abduction" is the one most closely related to sexual assault, which means: any person who, with intent to marry or carnally know a female, or to cause her to be married or carnally known by any other person, takes her away, or detains her, against her will, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.
ObservationsRelated information:
- Incest: any male person who has carnal knowledge of a female person, irrespective of whether with the consent or not of such female person, who is to his knowledge his granddaughter, daughter, sister or mother shall be guilty of the offence of incest and shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years (Criminal Code, Section 147).
- Indecent assault on females: any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults any female is guilty of a misdemeanour (Criminal Code, Section 151).
- Defilement of girls under thirteen years of age: (1) any person who unlawfully and carnally knows a female under the age of thirteen years is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life, and (2) any person who attempts to have unlawful carnal knowledge of a female under the age of thirteen years is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for three years (Criminal Code, Section 153).
- Defilement of girls between thirteen and sixteen years of age: any person who unlawfully and carnally knows or attempts to have unlawful carnal knowledge of any female person of, or above, the age of thirteen years and under the age of sixteen years is guilty of a misdemeanour (Criminal Code, Section 154).
Legal Source:Criminal Code, Section 148
Legal provisions on protection orders:No legal provision
- CyprusViolence, JusticeSexual Harassment
Undesirable conduct of a sexual nature or other nature based on sex which offends the dignity of women and men during employment or vocational training or during access to employment or vocational training and is expressed in words or in deeds.
ObservationsIn 2006, the Law on Equal Treatment of Men and Women in Employment and Vocational Training was amended by amending law N. 40(I)/2006 which introduced the concept of harassment without a sexual element. The material scope of the law does not extend beyond employment and vocational training.
Legal Source:The Equal Treatment of men and women in employment and vocational training Law of 2002
Legal provisions on protection orders:No legal provision
Literature and legislation
- CyprusHealth, Violence
This booklet is the product of a year long project undertaken by the Mediterranean Institute of Gend...
- CyprusHealth, Violence
Country of origin: INT Q1. Does the document discuss/deal with…...
- CyprusHealth, Violence
Country of origin: INT Q1. Does the document discuss/deal with…...