‘How often will this keep happening?’ Greece reckons with rising femicides

Kyriaki Griva sought security from police as her ex-partner was loitering near her home. Moments later, he killed her outside the police station.

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.

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.

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”.