The ongoing runaways of children from state-run protection facilities are causing deep concern, serious reflection, and legitimate questions. Prompted by the disappearance of two Palestinian brothers, aged 14 and 17, from a shelter in the Aglantzia area, while they are witnesses in a court case involving violence and abuse in which their father and brothers are accused, Social Welfare Services Officer Panagiota Trifylli attempted to “outline” the protocols and procedures that are put into effect in such cases.

Ms. Trifylli noted that, in this specific case, the relevant protocol was activated in cooperation with the police and other competent government agencies, to locate and immediately return the two minor girls.

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• But what does it mean for a child to be under state guardianship?
• Who is responsible for their safety and well-being?

Ms. Trifylli explained that this happens when, for reasons of the child’s safety, health, and well-being, they must be removed from their family and placed either with a foster family or in a state-run facility.

Currently, 394 children and adolescents are under the state’s care and are housed in foster families or in one of the five shelters in operation—two for children and three for adolescents.

The YKE official clarified that siblings of the same age group and gender are not separated, unless there are exceptional and specific reasons to do so.

According to Ms. Trifylli, state-run facilities operate with 24-hour staffing and follow an open-door policy for young people, modeled after Cypriot families. That is: rules, a daily routine, school, activities, and support for developing social skills provided by scientists and professionals.

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But why do children leave these facilities? Ms. Trifylli emphasized that these are children who have endured traumatic experiences in their family environment and who have been placed in a new environment against their will. Therefore, they need time to adjust, to trust the staff, and to develop personal relationships with the other residents.

“They will leave, they will be located, and interventions will be carried out. They may even leave again because they need more time for therapeutic interventions.”

Ms. Trifylli noted that instances of residents leaving state-run facilities are not unique to Cyprus but pose a challenge for international child protection systems. Thus, in such a case, in addition to activating the cooperation protocol with the police and other relevant agencies to locate and return the child, the reasons for the runaway are also examined to develop a personalized treatment plan.

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The YKE official stated that the number of children running away has decreased significantly in recent years, a fact attributed to the improvement of services and the interdisciplinary strengthening of support structures, with specialized services addressing the complex needs of children and targeted interventions to develop social skills and help them adjust to school.

When asked whether stricter measures should be taken in cases involving children who are witnesses in court cases, she replied that such measures are already in place for all children.