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The Cyprus government has officially launched “ELPIS,” a mobile app designed to provide immediate emergency assistance to victims of domestic violence, amid rising concerns over gender-based violence across the island.
Unveiled Monday at the Road Safety Park at Police Headquarters, the app enables high-risk individuals, primarily women, to discreetly alert authorities with the press of a button. Operating as a silent alarm, ELPIS aims to deliver rapid police intervention in cases where victims face threats to their life or physical safety.
“This initiative is one of the most emblematic actions of the Ministry of Justice and the Police,” said Minister of Justice and Public Order Marios Hartsiotis. “ELPIS is not just a promise fulfilled. It is a tool that can save lives.”
Hartsiotis noted the app’s launch fulfills a pre-election commitment by the President and follows a successful pilot phase that began last November.
Domestic violence in Cyprus has surged in recent years, with police reporting 3,322 incidents in 2024, up from 1,199 in 2019. The Justice Ministry said the figures reflect a troubling societal trend that calls for urgent and targeted responses.
The app is part of a broader national strategy under the 2023–2028 National Action Plan for the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women. The plan includes training for frontline responders, public awareness campaigns on sexism, and improved data collection on gender-based violence.
Cyprus Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis emphasized the app’s role as both a technological innovation and a moral commitment.
“ELPIS is not just an app. It is a promise of hope,” Arnaoutis said. “It brings the police closer to every vulnerable person; those living in fear, silence, and insecurity.”
The system is managed by a 24/7 Message Control Center at Police Headquarters, which dispatches patrols as needed. The app operates via the internet and has already undergone extensive testing.
Maria Chiakka, Chair of Cyta’s Board, stressed the importance of technology in crisis situations. “When used properly, technology becomes a lifeline. ELPIS is a silent communication tool that could mean the difference between life and death,” she said.
Senior Police Officer Evi Nikolaou, who helped lead the initiative, described the project as ambitious but necessary. “This reflects our longstanding commitment to protect those at risk and fight this social scourge,” she said.
Officials reaffirmed that ELPIS is part of a larger, ongoing effort to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable, while also changing public attitudes toward domestic abuse.
“Justice stands very high in Cyprus,” Hartsiotis said in response to a question about past rulings from the European Court of Human Rights. “And this app is a testament to our determination to confront and end domestic violence.”
