Amid rising gender-based violence and growing public awareness, Greek lawyers are staging a two-day nationwide strike on January 23-24, 2025, in protest of a newly proposed bill aimed at combating domestic violence and other forms of abuse. The bill introduces tougher penalties for offenders and extends protections for victims, including minors, from cyberstalking, revenge porn, and workplace harassment. However, legal associations argue that the proposal infringes on constitutional principles, such as the presumption of innocence, and raises concerns about its impact on the separation of powers and proportionality.

The bill also addresses emerging forms of abuse not covered by existing legislation, including online harassment, and introduces stricter penalties for repeat offenders. It seeks to align Greek law with a 2024 EU directive that mandates member states to criminalize specific acts and enhance victim support services by mid-2027. Despite backing the government’s aim to address gender-based violence, Greek legal professionals are critical of the bill’s perceived flaws and the lack of consultation in its drafting process.

The protests come as domestic violence incidents have surged since 2020, partially due to heightened public awareness of available support services, such as the newly established national shelter network. Lawyers argue that although the bill’s goals are noble, its legal foundations need to be reconsidered to ensure fairness and protect constitutional rights.