This report is designed to assist the Greek government in enhancing support services for victims of sexual violence, focusing on its compliance with the Istanbul Convention (Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence). Specifically, the report provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of victim support services in Greece, identifies key gaps and challenges in existing systems, and highlights opportunities for improvement by presenting promising practices from other Council of Europe member states. In light of Greece’s ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the report offers detailed recommendations to ensure compliance with international standards and to better support victims of sexual violence and rape.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AIM AND SCOPE OF THE STUDY METHODOLOGY
A note on terminology
INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW OF KEY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND PRINCIPLES
Council of Europe
European Court of Human Rights
United Nations
RAPE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC: LEGAL AND OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK
Legal Framework on violence against women, including rape
Operational framework for support for victims of violence against women, including sexual violence and rape
ENTRY POINTS TO THE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR VICTIMS AND REFERRAL PATHWAYS
The Police
Health and medical services
Network of structures and consulting centres
Civil society organisations
KEY CHALLENGES AND GAPS IN THE EXISTING VICTIM SUPPORT SYSTEM
Lack of training and expertise among relevant professionals
Challenges in access and availability of forensic examinations and medical care
Barriers to accessing victim support services
Lack of co-ordinated action and collaboration among different stakeholders
LEVERAGING THE EXISTING FRAMEWORK FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES PROMISING PRACTICES: RAPE CRISIS CENTRES AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE REFERRAL CENTRES
The one-stop-shop approach to victim support services
Sexual Violence Referral Centres (SVRCs)
PROMISING PRACTICE: SEXUAL ASSAULT REFERRAL CENTRES (SARCS), ENGLAND AND WALES
Promising Practice: Specialised network of 10 centres for victims of rape and sexual violence, Denmark
Promising Practice: Belgium
Rape crisis centres (RCCs)
Promising Practice: Rape Crisis Centres, Ireland
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ACTION REFERENCES
