A Greek woman feared her ex-partner. He killed her outside a police station
A Greek woman feared her ex-partner. He killed her outside a police station Al Jazeera English
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Athens, Greece –
On the evening of April 1, a Monday, 28-year-old Kyriaki Griva’s ex-partner stabbed her to death outside a police station in northern Athens.
She was the fifth woman to be killed by an ex or partner this year in Greece.
Increased Focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Background
Griva had just left her local police station, which she visited in fear of her former boyfriend, who had been loitering near her house.
She had previously filed formal complaints against him but on this occasion, declined to do so. While her reasoning is not clear, victims of domestic violence often choose not to make formal complaints because they are terrified of repercussions, worry the process may be triggering and have little faith in agencies that are meant to provide security.
Inadequate Response from Authorities
Griva requested a police escort back home that night. She was directed to a police hotline, which she called. An operator reportedly told her that “patrol cars are not a taxi service”.
Griva was then killed shortly afterwards in the vicinity of Agioi Anargyroi station.
The 39-year-old suspect was imprisoned awaiting trial; he is reportedly being monitored in a psychiatric ward.
Government Response
In response to the murder, the Minister for Civil Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis promised an in-depth investigation and expressed support for including the term femicide within the Greek penal code – a point campaigners have long pushed for – although he added that this would ultimately be up to the Ministry of Justice.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis rebutted criticism of his police minister saying, “the fault cannot always lie at the top when something goes wrong in the state”, but acknowledged that the government needed to do more.
Legal Action
Meanwhile, lawyers representing Griva’s family have since called for the officers who spoke to Griva that day to be investigated for potential negligence and manslaughter.
Public Outcry and Protests
Charities and families of victims have long accused Greek authorities of not taking domestic violence seriously enough.
Protests and vigils have sprung up across Greece in recent weeks, with some carrying protest banners written with the alleged words of the police officer before Griva was murdered: “The patrol car is not a taxi.”
Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Call for Action
Katerina Kotti, the mother of 31-year-old Dora Zacharia, who was killed by her partner on the island of Rhodes in September, 2021, told Al Jazeera that she felt “rage, anger and disappointment” at the news of each new femicide.
Kotti is part of a group of grieving families that have lost female relatives to domestic violence.
They would like to see life sentences for convicts that offer no prospect of release.
“We should tell it as it is,” she said. “Those who have had a life sentence are the women themselves and then the families who are forced to live in their absence.”
Recommendations for Achieving SDGs
- Adopt a legal recognition of femicide in the penal code
- Provide further support for survivors
- Offer more training for police officers
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the issue of femicide and domestic violence, which are directly related to gender inequality and the lack of strong institutions to address and prevent such violence.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres
- SDG 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
The article highlights the need to address violence against women and girls, reduce femicide rates, and improve access to justice for victims.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include:
- Number of women killed by ex-partners or partners
- Number of formal complaints filed against perpetrators of domestic violence
- Availability and effectiveness of police escort services for victims of domestic violence
- Number of cases investigated for potential negligence and manslaughter by police officers
- Number of protests and vigils against femicides
- Reporting and arrest rates for domestic violence cases
- Percentage increase or decrease in domestic violence victims
- Legal recognition of femicide in the penal code
- Support services and training provided for survivors and police officers
- Implementation of life sentences for convicts with no prospect of release
These indicators can be used to track progress in addressing violence against women, reducing femicide rates, and improving access to justice for victims.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres | – Number of women killed by ex-partners or partners – Number of formal complaints filed against perpetrators of domestic violence – Availability and effectiveness of police escort services for victims of domestic violence – Number of protests and vigils against femicides |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere | – Number of women killed by ex-partners or partners – Number of cases investigated for potential negligence and manslaughter by police officers – Reporting and arrest rates for domestic violence cases |
| 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | – Legal recognition of femicide in the penal code – Support services and training provided for survivors and police officers – Implementation of life sentences for convicts with no prospect of release |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: aljazeera.com
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