‘Women continue to suffer from violence’

WOMEN in North Cyprus continue to suffer from violence even after divorce, it has been reported. Of the 23 women murdered in the TRNC over the last 11 years, 16 were killed by their husbands, exhusbands, lovers or former lovers according to a report by Cyprus Today’s sister newspaper Kıbrıs.

In addition women face verbal and physical abuse at the hands of partners and ex-partners, the paper reported.

The issue was highlighted by lawyer and Independence Path party assembly member Cansu Nazlı to mark Women’s Rights Day.

Speaking to Kıbrıs, Ms Nazlı said: “The main types of harassment [against women] are threats of violence, systematic harassment via telecommunication devices and persistent stalking. If the perpetrator is a current or former husband or partner, a person can apply [to the courts] for a protection order through an attorney.”

Ms Nazlı said that protection orders can prohibit an individual from: being closer than 200m to the applicant and/or her family’s house, immovable property, school or workplace; contacting her and/or her family verbally and/or through any communications device; and keeping a firearm in their possession. Breaching a protection order is a crime, Ms Nazlı pointed out, that could lead to the culprit being fined or sent to prison.

“Aside from applying for a protection order, it is also possible for a person threatening violence to be prosecuted by making a complaint to the police,” Ms Nazlı said.

She stressed that any statement to the police must end with the phrase “I am making a complaint”.

A statement to the police that does not clearly state the complaint would be “insufficient to launch criminal proceedings” Ms Nazlı warned. Women who do not work or who have low incomes can ask their local Social Services Department for legal aid in order to apply for a protection order, she said.

“Social Services will analyse your report then direct you to the Bar Association for a lawyer to be assigned to your case,” Ms Nazlı added.