Shocking data released by “The Smile of the Child” organization paints a deeply troubling picture of child abuse and neglect in Greece, revealing a harsh reality that affects minors on a daily basis. In 2025 alone, both named and anonymous reports of abuse, neglect, and related incidents averaged 10 children per day, while a report and/or support request involving a case of child sexual abuse was recorded every single day.
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The most recent data offers no reassurance. Over the three summer months of this year, “The Smile of the Child” handled 432 reports of serious child abuse and neglect cases — nearly five every single day.
These figures carry even greater weight against the backdrop of the Kypseli case, where the discovery of a dead infant inside a suitcase and the presence of three other underage children in the apartment have opened a sweeping investigation into the conditions in which they were living. Notably, two earlier anonymous reports previously received by “The Smile of the Child” bear similarities to details associated with this particular family — though it has not yet been possible to confirm with certainty that they referred to the same individuals.
“The Smile of the Child”: Reports of abuse and neglect involving 10 children every day in 2025
The figures from “The Smile of the Child” annual review for 2025 underscore the full scale of the problem. Both named and anonymous reports received through the National Children’s Helpline SOS 1056 and the Cyber Tipline Hellas — covering abuse, neglect, and related incidents — averaged 10 children per day.
The data on sexual abuse is particularly alarming. According to the same review, a report of child sexual abuse was recorded and/or support was provided for such a case every single day. Additionally, two children every three days required on-site intervention because they were in immediate danger.
It is important to note that these figures relate to reports, support cases, and interventions, and do not necessarily mean that every report was subsequently confirmed as an abuse incident. They do, however, reflect the number of children about whom concern is raised on a daily basis and for whom the mobilization of responsible authorities is sought.
432 serious reports over the summer
The situation shows no sign of improvement in the most recent data either. Between June 1 and August 31, 2026, the National Children’s Helpline SOS 1056 handled 432 reports of serious child abuse and neglect cases — nearly five per day.
The relevant police and prosecutorial authorities were notified of each of these reports, while the necessary support was also provided to the children involved.
Kypseli: The 2020 report involving three children
Against this backdrop, the statements made by “The Smile of the Child” following the revelations in the Kypseli case take on particular significance. In April 2020, the organization received an anonymous report through the National Children’s Helpline SOS 1056 concerning three children — one girl and two boys. The caller reported neglect of the children’s hygiene, the financial exploitation of the daughter, substance use by the parents, and a failure to properly supervise the minors.
The report was forwarded to the competent prosecutor’s office. As “The Smile of the Child” clarifies today, the organization received no subsequent update on the progress of that case.
Kypseli: A new call in 2024 reporting violence and abuse against the daughter
In December 2024, the organization received yet another anonymous call concerning three children — again, one girl and two boys. This time, callers reported suspected substance use by the girl, physical violence by the father toward his daughter, substance use by the parents, and abuse of the daughter by the father.
However, insufficient identifying details were provided — such as full names and location — to allow the family to be identified. For this reason, according to the organization, this particular report was not forwarded to the relevant authorities.
The similarities with the Kypseli family
In the wake of the latest developments, “The Smile of the Child” noted that the gender and ages of the children, as well as details of the family circumstances that have been made public, are consistent with those in the Kypseli case. The organization is, however, clear: it cannot be confirmed with absolute certainty that the 2020 and 2024 reports concerned this specific family, as the callers did not provide sufficient identifying information.
With the investigation into events at the Kypseli apartment in full swing, the child abuse data takes on a particularly sobering significance. The 432 serious reports filed in a single summer, combined with the daily picture captured in the 2025 review, make clear that behind the cases that reach public attention lies a far broader and often invisible problem.
Sexually transmitted infection in the children under close scrutiny
Of particular focus in the investigation is the fact that, according to information available so far, a serious sexually transmitted infection was detected in all three underage children. The responsible authorities are investigating the circumstances under which they were infected, though this finding alone does not, in itself, constitute proof of sexual abuse.
