The tragic case of Stylianos Constantinou highlights the failures of social welfare services to provide necessary protection for a teenager who ultimately took his own life in 2019.
- The tragic case of Stylianos Constantinou highlights the failures of social welfare services to provide necessary protection for a teenager who ultimately took his own life in 2019.
- The trial will continue on Tuesday, as the court seeks to unravel the complexities surrounding this tragic case and the systemic failures that led to such a devastating outcome.
During a hearing at Nicosia district court, independent criminal investigator Andreou Andreou testified that the social welfare services should have intervened and taken custody of the 14-year-old, at least temporarily. The investigation centres on allegations of ongoing domestic violence perpetrated by the boy’s father, and questions surrounding the actions of both his mother and the authorities.
In May, two welfare officers admitted to charges related to their handling of the case and received suspended prison sentences. The current proceedings are focused on another welfare officer who was responsible for Stylianos’ file.
Under cross-examination, Andreou acknowledged that there was no direct medical evidence of physical harm, but he noted that multiple reports indicated Stylianos arrived at school with bruises. The boy had expressed that he was subjected to severe beatings, claiming his father would “beat him like a dog” at their family farm.
Despite these alarming signs, the welfare officer’s logs reviewed by Andreou did not indicate that Stylianos was in imminent danger. Andreou remarked, “I’m not saying that no action whatsoever was taken, but neither a proper investigation was made, nor the appropriate direct action taken.” This lack of urgency is troubling, especially as some instances of violence were not communicated to the police, despite protocols requiring such reports.
Andreou and fellow investigator Mr Poyadjis concluded that the measures taken to protect Stylianos from 2010 to 2012 were insufficient. He stated, “The situation was out of control,” and expressed that had the boy been removed from his parents, he might still be alive today. He firmly believed that the information available at the time warranted placing Stylianos under the care of social welfare services, even temporarily, to safeguard his wellbeing.
Further evidence presented in court showed concerning behaviour from Stylianos’ father, including an incident where a shotgun was reported found on a bed during a welfare visit, and another episode where the father appeared at the boy’s school with the firearm. Andreou argued that such incidents, along with other information in Stylianos’ file, should have compelled the welfare services to take decisive action.
During the proceedings, the defence raised the argument that the policy at the time viewed removing a child from their parents as a “last resort.” While Andreou conceded that this was indeed the policy, he questioned the validity of such an approach when the safety of a child is at stake.
The trial will continue on Tuesday, as the court seeks to unravel the complexities surrounding this tragic case and the systemic failures that led to such a devastating outcome.
