The SWS are the par excellence State's competent services, entrusted with the protection and support of children from all forms of violence, including sexual violence. As part of their role, they undertake coordination with other competent services such as the Mental Health Services, the Police, schools, local authorities and others.

Any person can contact the nearest Office by telephone or in writing – either providing their name or anonymously - and report information about suspected sexual abuse/exploitation of a minor.

The competent Social Services Officer gathers all necessary information (persons involved, circumstances of suspected abuse) and forwards it to the Children’s House, which brings together all relevant services, aiming to support the child victim and prevent re-victimization.

In coordination with the competent Social Services Officer, an Officer of the Children’s House will initially contact the child and the parent (provided he or she is supportive of the child) and inform them of the report and the procedure to be followed. More specifically, the child will need to cooperate with various Services (e.g. Police, Medical Services, Mental Health Services) which are all available at the Children's House. A parent who is supportive of the child, or a trusted adult, will accompany the child to the Children’s House or wherever needed. In some cases, it may be determined that it is in the best interests of the child to be accompanied by the Social Services Officer or a competent Officer of the Children’s House.

If, during the investigation of a report, the SWS determine that the child is in imminent danger, they will make arrangements, in cooperation with other competent Services, to ensure the child is protected. It may be necessary, for example, to exclude a suspect from the child's place of residence. In extreme cases, it may even be necessary to temporarily place the child with relatives or a foster family, until he or she can safely return to the family home.

If further psychosocial support is considered necessary after the child and his or her family have received the support services offered by the Children’s House, the competent Social Services Officer will continue to work with them to ensure that the child can safely move on with his or her life. The services provided include emotional and social support and networking with Government bodies, local authorities and non-governmental organizations.

You can contact the competent Office in your district:

Nicosia

Nicosia City Centre / Strovolos Social Services Office
Address: 66 Agiou Ilarionos St., 1026 Kaimakli
P.O. Box 29032, 1620 Nicosia
Email: lefkosia.dwo@sws.mlsi.gov.cy
Tel.: 22804709, 22804672
Fax: 22430195/196

Limassol

Yermasoyia Social Services Office
Address: 73 Agias Zonis and Tirtaiou Str., 3090 Limassol
P.O. Box 70745, 3802 Limassol
Email: lemesos.dwo@sws.mlsi.gov.cy
Tel.:25811791, 25811793
Fax: 25305137/25305141

Larnaca

Kamares Social Services Office
Address: 23-25 Piliou Str., G. Matthaiou Court
P.O.Box 40184, 6301 Larnaca
Email: larnaca.dwo@sws.mlsi.gov.cy
Tel.: 24800101, 24800260
Fax: 24621088

Pafos

District Welfare Office
Address: 17 Nikou Nikolaidi Str., 8010 Pafos
P.O. Box 60018, 8100 Pafos
Email: pafos.dwo@sws.mlsi.gov.cy
Tel.: 26821600, 26821601
Fax: 26306162

Famagusta

District Welfare Office
170 1st April Str.,
P.O. Box 33065, 5310 Paralimni
Email: ammochostos.dwo@sws.mlsi.gov.cy
Tel.: 23811736, 23811731
Fax: 23827698