Nicosia: revealing that a child is sexually abused every 20 hours in the country. In 2024 alone, 438 reports of child sexual abuse were recorded, translating to more than one child every day falling victim to such heinous acts, underscoring the urgent need for action and awareness on this critical issue.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the numbers have been confirmed by “Hope for Children,” an organization that notes the referral of 438 children to the Children’s House in 2024. Among these children, a significant majority, 74.4%, were girls, while 25.6% were boys, with an average age of 12; the most common age being 14. The data reveal that 70.8% of the children were of Cypriot nationality, with 89.2% of the incidents occurring within the 12 months prior to referral.
“Hope for Children,” responsible for operating the Children’s House, further highlights that 57.9% of cases involved abuse between a minor and an adult. In a troubling revelation, only 4.7% of cases involved a suspect unknown to the child, with 58.6% of the abuse occurring outside the family circle. Of these, 53.9% involved a known or familiar person, and in 26.4% of cases, the child was related to the suspect, such as a parent or sibling.
In 2024, approximately 20 children were accompanied by a social worker or psychologist during court proceedings. Additionally, 18 children provided testimony via teleconference in specially designed rooms at the Children’s House across all districts, highlighting the efforts made to safeguard their well-being through the judicial process.
Since its inception in 2017, the Children’s House has received a total of 3,019 child referrals. “Hope for Children” emphasizes the data reflect the ongoing challenges and the continuous efforts of protection services. The organization calls for strengthening structures and making informed decisions based on real data, advocating for enhanced prevention, education, timely reporting, and support for children in judicial procedures.