**Calls Grow for Register of Rape Victims from Turkish Invasion**
In a recent statement, Vasos Christou, the chief of the prisoners of war association, emphasized the urgent need for a register documenting individuals who suffered sexual abuse during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. This initiative aims to provide elderly survivors with essential financial and psychological support.
During an appearance on Alpha TV, Christou revealed that he had received a letter from a former prisoner of war detailing the harrowing experiences of sexual abuse he endured while in captivity. The letter, which the individual requested be made public only after his death due to fears of stigma, recounts the painful aftermath of returning home. “Many accuse us of being scoundrels, that we raised our hands up to be captured and come after 50 years to ask for benefits from the state,” the letter stated, highlighting the societal challenges faced by survivors.
Christou also raised the case of another victim, a man who was raped by Turkish soldiers as a young boy during the war. He urged Deputy Social Welfare Minister Tina Pavlou to extend the same benefits available to prisoners of war to this individual, stressing the urgency of the situation as many potential beneficiaries are now over 70 years old and may not receive the assistance they need in time.
In a recent meeting with the House refugee committee, Christou shared a poignant account of a former prisoner who disclosed his experience of rape to his wife shortly before his death. Despite being married for decades and having four children, he had never spoken of his trauma. Christou learned about this case from the man's wife in 2018, four years after his passing. She decided to share her husband's story to help “put her husband’s soul to rest.”
In response to these testimonies, Pavlou acknowledged the need for a register that includes both men and women who experienced sexual abuse during the invasion. She noted that the state has historically failed to provide adequate mental health support for these individuals. Pavlou emphasized the importance of ensuring discretion and confidentiality in any future processes, stating, “It is never too late when it comes to mental health.” She warned that untreated trauma could become deeply entrenched, affecting families across generations.
Christou reiterated the necessity of creating a register to facilitate support for survivors while they are still alive. He expressed a somber acknowledgment that “no amount of aid or medicine can heal such wounds,” underscoring the profound psychological impact of these experiences.
The call for a register reflects a growing recognition of the need to address the long-lasting effects of trauma from the 1974 invasion. As discussions continue, the hope is that timely action will be taken to provide the necessary support for those who have suffered in silence for decades.