A domestic violence unit within the Paphos police headquarters launched operations on Monday, a police spokesman said.

Operating as part of the CID, the domestic violence unit will serve the whole of the Paphos district.

Paphos police needed its own unit trained to investigate and act on reports of domestic violence, as such cases are not to be taken lightly, Michalis Ioannou told the Cyprus News Agency.

As this is a very sensitive subject, Ioannou said, the unit has been staffed with qualified professionals dedicated to effectively and adequately respond to reports of domestic violence so the appropriate measures can be taken to protect victims and their children.

The public will be able to report cases of domestic violence directly to the unit.

However, emergencies should be reported to local stations which will then pass them on to the specialised unit.

Domestic violence units launched in the Nicosia and Limassol districts in late 2020.