The Hotline in Cyprus, operating under the name “SafenetCY” has completed 18 months at the end of August. The new project was launched in September 2008 as a combined Awareness Node, Hotline and Helpline. The Awareness Node and the Hotline will continue to be operated by the Cyprus Neuroscience & Technology Institute whereas the Helpline will be operated by the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Children (PCCPWC). Other partners include CYTA, the public telecommunications company, the Ministry of Education and a Turkish Cypriot NGO, Olive Branch. An enhanced cooperation with the Cyber-Crime Unit of the Police has been re-established after the dramatic increase in Child Pornography cases investigated in Cyprus. Specifically, the Cyber-Crime Unit has recorded the following statistics regarding the Child Pornography cases investigated in Cyprus since 2004:
• 2004 – 8 cases investigated
• 2005 – 16 cases investigated
• 2006 – 24 cases investigated
• 2007 – 34 cases investigated
• 2008 – 61 cases investigated
This dramatic increase in the number of cases investigated by the Police has started to concern deeply the local authorities and the Government. The National Advisory Board has decided to involve the authorities more and also to promote the Hotline to the wider public and to the schools. The authorities have also demonstrated increased interest to support the efforts of the CyberEthics Awareness Node and the SafenetCY Hotline.
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