ATHENS – After the murder of a woman on Crete by her husband, the latest in a string of femicides in Greece, New Democracy government spokesman Yiannis Oikonomou said the police have a plan to deal with the phenomenon.

“The Hellenic Police has developed a plan, which to a large extent has begun to be implemented, in cooperation with local government, in order to have a timely and rapid recording of such incidents, so that we can catch up before the situation reaches the point of no return,” Oikonomou said.

He said there have been changes in the penal code with tougher penalties and longer sentences for those convicted of assaulting or killing their wives or partners, not slowing the problem so far.

He added also that “the statute of limitations for cases of sexual violence, abuse of minors is extended, whether it concerns physical violence or sexual abuse,” trying to create another deterrent.

“The punishment for rape and abuse is becoming very severe and now extends to life,” he continued, said Kathimerini. “Institutionally and legally, the state shields citizens against such incidents,” he added, not explaining why, if that’s the case, it’s getting worse.