Hellenic Police data released on Sunday reveals that reported domestic violence incidents in the first 10 months of 2024 have nearly doubled compared to the same period in 2023.
During January to October 2024, 18,427 domestic violence cases were reported, a sharp increase from 9,860 cases reported in the same period last year.
Arrests have also surged significantly, with 6,453 individuals arrested throughout 2023 compared to 11,308 arrests made during the first 10 months of this year.
According to the police, most domestic violence victims are women, while the majority of perpetrators are men.
Between January and October 2024, there were 5,583 male victims and 15,571 female victims. Male perpetrators accounted for 15,413 cases, while female perpetrators totaled 3,565 during the same period.
However, Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis has emphasized that the increase in reported cases does not necessarily indicate a rise in the actual occurrence of domestic violence. Instead, it reflects a growing willingness among victims to come forward and file complaints.
Greece has witnessed numerous high-profile domestic violence cases over the past year, some of which have tragically resulted in fatalities. Most recently, a 30-year-old man confessed of murdering his ex-partner in Agrinio, southern Greece.