Shelter and support for women affected by domestic violence in Northern Cyprus

If you are in danger, in Northern Cyprus people usually contact emergency services: police — 155, ambulance — 112, fire department — 199. For emergency shelter and support for women and children, the Kadın Sığınma Evi (women’s shelter) at the Nicosia municipality operates: it provides safe accommodation, as well as psychological and legal assistance. Below is what is important to know and how to act.

• What this shelter is and whom it helps
• Contacts and where to write
• How to do it
• If you plan to leave a dangerous situation
• Glossary
• Frequently Asked Questions
• If you need legal advice in Northern Cyprus

What this shelter is and whom it helps

Kadın Sığınma Evi is a shelter for women and children who have suffered from domestic violence in Northern Cyprus. According to the Nicosia municipality, the shelter has been operating since 2016 and provides housing, legal and psychological support, help with basic needs, and in certain cases, assistance with education and employment.

On average, about 30 women live in the shelter per year, and about 100 women per year receive legal and psychological support. A significant portion of those seeking help are women from third countries and Turkey.

If you are not a citizen of Northern Cyprus, you can also seek assistance in an emergency: the conditions and procedures for accommodation are best clarified directly with the municipality.

Contacts and where to write

Up-to-date information and contacts are usually published on the official pages of the Nicosia municipality. Link to Facebook

If you need urgent help, the fastest way is to start with emergency services: police — 155, ambulance — 112.

How to do it

1. If there is an immediate threat to safety, call the police 155 or the ambulance 112.
2. If you need shelter and support, open the official Nicosia municipality page and find the contacts for Kadın Sığınma Evi (women’s shelter).
3. When contacting them, briefly indicate: where you are in Northern Cyprus, whether there are children, any urgent medical needs, and the language you are most comfortable using.
4. If you plan legal actions (e.g., protective measures, housing issues, documents, children), also check the possibility of consulting a lawyer.

If you plan to leave a dangerous situation

In situations of domestic violence, it is important to act in a way that does not increase the risk. If appropriate and safe, it often helps to prepare a minimum in advance: documents, phone/charger, money, necessary medications, contacts of relatives, and also plan where you can quickly go. If threats are immediate, it is better to start with emergency services (155 / 112) and then address accommodation and support issues.

Glossary

• Shelter — safe temporary accommodation for those affected by violence with access to support (psychological, social, legal).
• Domestic violence — physical, psychological, sexual, or economic abuse within family or partner relationships.
• Emergency services — services contacted when there is an immediate threat to life and health (police, ambulance, etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contact the shelter if I am a foreigner?

Yes, the original material indicates that help may be available to women from other countries in an emergency. The conditions and procedures for accommodation are best clarified via the Nicosia municipality contacts.

Can I come with a child?

Yes, the shelter is intended for women and children. When contacting them, it is better to immediately mention that you have a child and clarify the accommodation conditions.

Who to call if danger is immediate?

If the threat is immediate, people usually contact the police 155 and/or the ambulance 112.

What help is available besides accommodation?

This usually includes psychological and legal support, as well as assistance with basic needs during the stay. Details depend on the specific situation and the shelter’s capabilities.

If you need legal advice in Northern Cyprus

You can contact our legal partner — DeJure — for consultation with a licensed Northern Cyprus lawyer.

• Phone: +90 539 119 05 55
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