Newsroom
In 2024, 438 children in Cyprus were referred to the Children’s House as victims of sexual abuse, according to data released by Hope for Children on the International Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
The figures show that 74.4% of the children were girls and 25.6% were boys. The average age was 12 years, with 14 being the most common. Most children (70.8%) held Cypriot citizenship.
“Since its establishment in 2017, the Children’s House has handled over 3,000 child referrals,” said Andria Neocleous, Executive Director of Hope for Children. “It is the only nationwide center in Cyprus that collects, maintains, and analyzes detailed data on all cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation. This information is essential for informed policymaking, strengthening services, and ensuring meaningful protection for children.”
The data indicate that nearly 90% of the abuse incidents occurred within the 12 months preceding referral. Over half of the cases (57.9%) involved abuse by an adult, while in 58.6% of incidents the abuse took place outside the family, often involving someone known to the child. In 26.4% of cases, the perpetrator was a family member.
During 2024, about 20 children were accompanied by social workers or psychologists to participate in court proceedings, while 18 gave testimony via videoconference from specially equipped rooms at the Children’s House across all districts.
The organization emphasized the need for stronger child protection systems and data-driven policies. “Protecting children is not the responsibility of a few, it is the responsibility of all of us,” Hope for Children said. The group also highlighted the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the European Union Council in 2026 as an opportunity to strengthen Europe-wide child protection efforts.
