79-year-old woman — Authorities are under scrutiny following the case of a 79-year-old woman in Larnaca who cried for help while being locked in her home. Despite claims from neighbours that they reported her situation months earlier, Social Welfare Services stated they only received a notification on 29 September regarding her need for relocation to a care home.
The woman’s son, aged 58, is set to face charges of domestic violence, with the police indicating that a case will be filed in the Larnaca District Court within the next 24 hours. This troubling situation came to light through reports by philenews, which included images and testimonies from neighbours who described the elderly woman’s home as a prison for several months.
Neighbours insist they alerted both the local Social Welfare Services office and a neighbourhood police officer about the woman’s plight long before the official notification in late September. However, the relevant services maintain there is no record of prior complaints related to abuse or mistreatment.
Deputy Minister for Social Welfare Marilena Evangelou defended the actions of her department during an interview on Alpha’s midday programme. She stated, “I saw the issue in Phileleftheros’s online edition and requested information. I was told there was no information to the services about abuse, mistreatment or violence, but information at the end of September from a family friend who informed them that the elderly woman needed to be placed in a home.” Evangelou explained that incidents are prioritised based on their severity.
When questioned on how citizens should report incidents to ensure proper recording and investigation, Evangelou advised that any suspicion of violence or abuse should immediately be reported to the police. She emphasised that there are established protocols for cooperation between police and Social Welfare Services, stating, “When there are reports of violence being used, there is no possibility that either police or anyone else will not take action.”
In response to concerns raised by journalist Katia Savva, who noted that neighbours had reported the woman’s situation for months, Evangelou acknowledged the reports but reiterated the importance of following proper protocols. She affirmed, “I cannot dispute that there was a report and we don’t see it or that someone didn’t do their job properly. We have strengthened Social Welfare Services with neighbourhood social workers, and certain procedures must be followed.”
Evangelou confirmed that a place has been secured for the elderly woman in a care home, with procedures for her transfer already underway, and she urged citizens to report any incidents of violence to the police.
The political party AKEL Larnaca has also weighed in on this issue, demanding accountability from Social Welfare Services and the deputy minister. They stated, “Based on the report, Social Welfare Services had known for some time about the tragic situation she was living in, and despite neighbours’ repeated complaints, did not help the elderly woman with her transfer to an old people’s home. It is concerning that immediate action was taken only after the tragic incident became public.”
