Social worker attacked at Limassol courts

A SOCIAL worker was beaten by a man involved in a custody case at the Limassol courts yesterday, resulting in a wildcat strike at the district’s welfare office.

The social worker went to the court to attend a case on parental care. Once the case was heard, he was attacked as he walked out the courtroom by one of the parties involved in the case.

According to the state broadcaster CyBC, the social worker was accused of lying by the lawyer of the attacker who then kicked, punched and ripped the clothes of the social worker, even biting a person who tried to intervene.

Police arrested the attacker while the victim was taken to Limassol hospital, shaken after sustaining cuts and bruises.

On hearing the news, his colleagues at the district welfare office went on strike in solidarity.

Head of the family unit at the office, Christos Symeonides, told reporters that another social worker just three days ago was also attacked while in his office by an angry woman who threw computers around the office.

While acknowledging the support of management and the unions, Symeonides argued that no essential measures have been taken to ensure the safety of workers, meaning that every day they face unknown dangers, while trying to serve the public.

He called for some form of protection at least at their offices, noting that field calls are much more unpredictable in terms of the safety of workers.

“Often you are called to handle an incident at an unknown house with a person who may or may not be dangerous,” he said.