By Natalia Rueda 
The terrible case of femicide in Greece, where a 28-year-old woman was brutally murdered in front of a police station, has caused deep outrage in society. The victim, identified as Kyriakí, had gone to the police station in the company of a friend seeking help and protection from her 39-year-old ex-partner, who had been harassing her days earlier.
Unfortunately, despite having informed the police officers about the serious situation she was in, they refused to take action, arguing that the matter should be dealt with by the Rapid Action Group. The response she received there was: “a patrol car is not a cab”.
Even when she was in extreme danger, Kyriakí did not receive the protection and security she deserved. Despite seeking refuge with the police, she was forced to go out unescorted and without any security measures. Tragically, her ex-partner found her and stabbed her to death.
The most heartbreaking aspect of this case is that the aggressor was known to the authorities as he had a history of violence and crime. Even the victim herself had filed a complaint for rape and violence in 2020, which was later withdrawn.
This tragic incident has triggered a debate about the failures of the police system in response to domestic violence. How is it possible that a woman seeking help was turned away and put in danger by those who are supposed to protect her?
It is urgent that steps be taken to improve the responsiveness of the authorities to cases of gender-based violence. Society cannot continue to allow women to be helpless victims in a desperate search for help. It is time to act and put an end to gender-based violence in all its forms.
With information from El Español