The Cypriot parliament in a plenary session unanimously voted to amend the Penal Code on life imprisonment for rape.

The relevant bill was introduced by MP Aristos Damianou on behalf of the parliamentary group AKEL-Left-New Force. According to the initiator, rape is a crime that is rarely reported and even less rarely punished, and only a few perpetrators are brought to justice. The bill makes it easier for the prosecutor’s office to classify specific acts as rape – not only against women, but also against men and LGBT community members.

Damianou also noted that, along with public awareness, further awareness of law enforcement was needed to get the expected response.