Report on school violence in Cyprus for the 2024-2025 academic year

The Cyprus Observatory on School Violence (COSV) published a report identifying 510 incidents of violence across 98 schools during the 2024-2025 academic year. The data includes 328 incidents in lower secondary schools, 108 in primary schools, 72 in technical schools, and two in preschools. Physical violence was the most frequent type, accounting for 293 cases, followed by 223 instances of verbal or non-verbal abuse. Additional recorded incidents included 58 cases of theft or arson, 24 of cyberbullying, 20 of social violence, and 16 of sexual violence. Playground areas and classrooms were identified as the primary locations for these incidents, which primarily involved students from the same institution. Dr. Elena Chatzikakou, Chair of COSV, stated that the Ministry of Education is utilizing these findings to implement support strategies. Contributing factors cited include family challenges, social isolation, and school climate. The report, mandated by law, marks the first comprehensive assessment of school violence in the country.