The launch event for the InSupport project – Strengthening Inter-agency Support for Victims of Sexual Violence was a great success, attracting a large audience. The event took place on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the Melina Merkouri Cultural Center in Thissio.
The event was addressed by the Deputy Minister for Equality and Human Rights, Elena Rapti, who emphasized the Ministry’s commitment and priorities in combating gender-based and sexual violence.
Greetings were also given by Nikolaos Stathopoulos, General Director of ISON Psychometrica, the responsible organisation of the event, and Dr. Eleni Zenakou, President of KETHI, who referred to KETHI’s existing structures and services for the protection and support of victims of gender-based violence.
Next, George Alexopoulos of Symplexis, who is coordinating the project, highlighted its particular importance, presented its objectives, and outlined the planned inter-agency response and cooperation mechanism for cases of sexual violence.
The event continued with the first panel, where the project was presented by Dr. Alexandra Kufouli, project coordinator from Symplexis, as well as the results of the consultation and the draft cooperation mechanism by Vicky Germotsi and Ismini Sioula Geogloulea from KETHI, and the next steps for strengthening frontline professionals by Georgia – Ioli Topaka from Metropolitan College. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Antonia Pothoulaki, project manager from KE.ME.A.
After a short break, the second round of discussions followed, entitled “The Situation in Greece: Research Data and Areas of Intervention”, coordinated by Dr. Elli Anitsi from ISON Psychometrica.
The research of IKE/EKKE was presented by Andromachi Hatzigianni, research director of the organization, on sexual violence against women in Greece, and the statistical record of sexual violence crimes was presented by Sofia Sakka, First Lieutenant of the Domestic Violence Response Unit of the Social Policing Directorate/A.E.A.
Next, former Appeals Court President Athanasia Apostolopoulou spoke about victims of sexual violence in the Greek judicial system, while Georgia Bouri, head of the Department of Equality Policies & Anti-Discrimination of the Municipality of Athens, spoke about the experience of the Center for Combating Gender-Based Violence in the Municipality of Athens. The second round began with Nopi Sidiropoulou, psychologist at the Athens Counseling Center – POLYKENTRO, talking about the experience of KETHI Counseling Centers in supporting victims of sexual violence.
This was followed by a vivid dialogue with all the participants, and the event concluded with a promise from all the organisations involved to continue their efforts to better coordinate all different services & agencies and provide optimal support to victims of sexual violence.
