The Archdiocese of Athens and the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Join Forces Against Domestic Violence

On September 30, the Archdiocese of Athens and the Greek Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at preventing domestic violence. The document was signed by Bishop Varnavas of Christoupolis—Protosyncellus of the Archdiocese of Athens and representative of Archbishop Ieronymos—and Deputy Minister Elena Rapti. This new agreement expands the existing partnership between the Church and state institutions in this field.

Under the memorandum, the “Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative”—operating within the Archdiocese of Athens’ Youth and Family Department—and the General Secretariat for Equality and Human Rights will develop joint information campaigns, educational programs, and training sessions. These activities will target church personnel and other professionals, focusing on issues such as violence, gender equality, and early prevention. The initiatives will be implemented both within the parishes of the Archdiocese of Athens and in other metropolitan sees already participating in similar programs.

There are three main areas of focus: fostering a culture of zero tolerance toward violence against women; supporting and empowering victims; and ensuring genuine access to information, protection, and assistance.

The new memorandum builds upon a broader program that the Archdiocese of Athens has been developing for several years. The “Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative” was established under the Department for Youth and Family, with the participation of the Metropolis of Ilion, the Region of Attica, the Municipality of Athens, and the Hellenic Police. From the outset, its goal has been not merely to respond to violence that has already occurred, but to work within parishes, schools, and families to foster prevention, raise awareness, and change attitudes regarding the use of coercion and violence within the family.

In recent years, these activities have expanded significantly. The Archdiocese organizes student conferences on the subject, educational programs for teachers and students, seminars on family relationships and violence against children, as well as training sessions involving specialists from the police, the education sector, and child protection organizations. In 2024, the first student conference brought together 150 students from 25 schools in Attica, and a second conference was held in 2025.

As of 2025, the initiative also operates under a memorandum of understanding with the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, aimed at the broader prevention of bullying, domestic violence, and gender-based violence, as well as the protection of children and young people. In July 2026, the Archdiocese of Athens and the Attica Region also signed a two-year framework for coordinated campaigns, training, and engagement with church communities; this indicates that the current memorandum is part of a broader plan to transform parishes into local hubs for early identification, prevention, and referral to professional support. Existing tools include a helpline for information, guidance, and referrals regarding domestic violence cases, while training programs have previously been developed for clergy and other church staff—who are often the first point of contact for victims.