The term “gender violence” takes on new dimensions after the stabbing of a 28 year old woman outside a police station in Athens.
The victim, a few days ago, had taken refuge in a police station in the suburb of Agioi Anargyri, in western Athens, where she asked for help as she feared for her life. She was accompanied by a male friend. The young woman was on the phone with the police and asking for a patrol car escort when her ex attacked her with a knife from behind and killed her. The call centre officer heard the attack 'live' while seconds earlier the girl told the officer that her ex was there. In the leaked phone conversation the 28 year old Kyriaki is heard saying "I am lost" before she said "he is here".
The phone manner of the police officer at the call center has sparked a public outcry and in particular his response to the young woman's request to be escorted home by police.
He told her “a police car is not a taxi.”
A few seconds later Kyriaki's ex-partner — and while she was on the phone — would stab her five times and leave her on the pavement.
Next to her was her young friend accompanying her who, as he later said, was taken by surprise by the attack and began calling for help.
The stabbing happened in front of the police office standing guard at the station.
Speaking to ERT, the press spokesperson of the Hellenic Police Konstantina Dimoglidou commented on the attitude of the call center police officer, saying, that his response was inappropriate. Six members of the police force have been stood down while an internal police investigation is underway as well as a criminal investigation.
The case has shocked public opinion and raised questions, mainly about how the police handled this incident and why the young woman was not protected. It is also shocking that the murder of the young woman took place outside the police station where she had taken refuge because her life was in danger. According to Greek media reports the perpetrator was known to the police and there had been many incidents of violence during their relationship.
Kyriaki had, allegedly, lost her baby, when her ex partner bashed her, according to some reports in the Greek media attributing the information to her family.
This case has provoked a fierce political confrontation with the main opposition party asking for the resignation of the Minister of Civil Protection. Michalis Chrysohoidis.
