In 2025 alone, 528 children were referred as potential victims of sexual abuse in Cyprus—equivalent to more than one new referral every day. Behind every statistic is a child in need of protection, care, and support. These figures highlight the urgent need for greater awareness, prevention, and collective action across society.
Child abuse remains one of the most pressing social challenges facing Cyprus today. Every year, hundreds of children require protection and specialized support. While important progress has been made in strengthening child protection mechanisms, experts agree that early identification of abuse and increased public awareness remain essential to safeguarding children and ensuring timely intervention.
At the forefront of these efforts is the Hope For Children CRC Policy Center, an independent international humanitarian organization based in Cyprus. For the past 18 years, the organization has been dedicated to protecting and promoting children’s rights in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and European legislation.
The organization also manages the Children’s House, a specialized, child-friendly facility dedicated to handling cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation in Cyprus. The operation of the Children’s House has been entrusted to the organization by the Social Welfare Services of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, which oversees and funds the facility.
Based on the internationally recognized Barnahus model and built around a multidisciplinary approach, the Children’s House brings together all relevant services under one roof, enabling children to receive medical, psychological, social, and rehabilitation support in a safe, coordinated, and child-friendly environment.
The Children’s House operates through the close collaboration of the Cyprus Police, the Social Welfare Services, the Educational Psychology Service of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, and the Mental Health Services of the Ministry of Health.
Its mission is to protect every child’s well-being, prevent secondary victimization, and ensure that every case is managed in accordance with the child’s best interests, providing a coordinated response that places the child at the centre of every decision.
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
Data collected by the Children’s House reveal the scale of the challenge. In 2025 alone, 528 children were referred as potential victims of sexual abuse, representing more than one new referral every day.
At the same time, child sexual abuse is widely recognized as one of the most underreported forms of violence against children. Many cases are never disclosed or identified, meaning that the true extent of the problem is likely to be significantly greater than official figures suggest.
Despite the considerable progress achieved in child protection, important challenges remain. Ongoing training for teachers, healthcare professionals, social workers, law enforcement personnel, and other frontline professionals is essential to ensure they can recognize the warning signs of abuse at an early stage.
Equally important is strengthening collaboration among all relevant services while addressing the social stigma that often prevents children and families from seeking help.
It is important to note that these figures relate exclusively to cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation. They do not include other forms of child maltreatment, such as physical abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect.
Strengthening Child Protection
Experts emphasize that the next step extends beyond the effective management of reported cases. Long-term recovery and rehabilitation for children and their families must remain a key priority.
The goal is to ensure that every child who has experienced any form of abuse has access to specialized, child-friendly services, regardless of the type of abuse they have endured. At the same time, continued investment in research, technology, and innovation can support the development of more effective prevention strategies and intervention tools.
A modern child protection system should operate proactively rather than reactively, providing holistic, evidence-based support that places the needs and rights of every child at its centre.
If You Suspect a Child Is Being Abused
Experts are clear: no suspicion of child abuse should ever be ignored.
Members of the public do not need to prove that a child is being abused or investigate the situation themselves. A reasonable concern is sufficient to notify the appropriate authorities, who are responsible for assessing and responding to the case.
If a child chooses to disclose abuse, it is vital that they are met with patience, compassion, and belief. Adults should listen calmly, avoid asking leading or persistent questions, reassure the child that they have done the right thing by speaking up, and help ensure they receive the protection and support they need.
For guidance and support, the public can contact Hope For Children’s 24-hour Helpline (1466). The service is available free of charge throughout the year and is staffed by psychologists, social workers, and legal advisors who can provide confidential advice and support.
Protecting Children Is a Shared Responsibility
Child abuse is not an issue that concerns only the relevant authorities—it is a responsibility shared by society as a whole.
Education, awareness, the early recognition of warning signs, and the timely reporting of concerns can help prevent abuse from continuing and can profoundly change the course of a child’s life. Building a safer future for children requires the collective commitment of government institutions, professionals, schools, families, communities, and every individual.
Every child has the right to grow up safe, protected, and free from abuse. Together, we can help ensure that right becomes a reality.
