A/HRC/44/51/Add.1 58. A number of concerns remain, however. The National Commission for Human Rights has deplored the fact that, although there was a significant number of cases of domestic violence reported, very few perpetrators were prosecuted and punished. Raising awareness about domestic violence is still essential, given that patriarchal attitudes and deeply rooted stereotypes regarding the role and responsibilities of women and men, as well as discriminatory practices, persist. In 2014, 3,914 victims of domestic violence were identified; 1,197 prosecutions were initiated, and 307 convictions handed down. In 502 cases, the victims opted for a mediation procedure, which is provided in the context of restorative justice as an alternative in order to avoid protracted and arduous court proceedings.44 59. According to the National Commission for Human Rights, statistical data on domestic violence are collected by the national police and are made publicly available. The data are disaggregated by gender and age of the victims only. Although the gender of the perpetrators is also provided, in a separate dataset, it is not linked to the data on the victim’s gender. The number of female victims of male perpetrators can therefore not be assessed.45 Domestic violence has been exacerbated by the economic crisis. There has been a backlash against gender equality, manifesting itself in disproportionate job losses among women in the public sector and cuts to services that women are more likely to require. The loss of socioeconomic autonomy leaves women in a more vulnerable situation, often leaving them with no option but to return to abusive partners. 60. The experts were informed by government interlocutors that, although mediation may not be mandatory under Greek law, it is routinely suggested to women who are victims of domestic and family violence. That is contrary to the Istanbul Convention, which explicitly states that mandatory mediation should be prohibited. The prevailing social norms in Greece related to the importance of the family unit and the preservation of family unity can present a significant barrier for women who wish to leave abusive relationships. 61. The Working Group is also concerned about the lack of data, disaggregated by sex, in relation to crimes, which would enable the tracking of femicide and domestic violence perpetrated against women, as mandated by the Istanbul Convention and general recommendation No. 35 (2017) on gender-based violence against women, updating general recommendation No. 19, of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. Sex-disaggregated data on all forms of gender-based violence against women is essential to understanding its prevalence and tailoring response and prevention efforts. 62. Although the Working Group acknowledges that the constrained financial situation in Greece makes it more difficult to ensure a high level of services for victims of violence against women, the experts are concerned that there is uneven coordination of support services for victims of the various forms of gender-based violence, as well as programmes for perpetrators. There are currently 21 shelters for victims of gender-based violence across the country.46 Demand for shelters has increased dramatically with the inflow of migrant and refugee women. There are insufficient shelters and emergency accommodations and inconsistent coordination of services. 63. The Working Group welcomes the specific training provided for judges, prosecutors, police officers, health-service providers, journalists and teaching staff to increase the awareness of all forms of violence against women and girls and to ensure that those actors are able to provide adequate gender-sensitive support to victims. The Working Group also welcomes the recent decision by the national police to establish dedicated domestic 44 45 46 14 See European Parliament, Directorate General for Internal Policies, “Note on the policy on gender equality in Greece”. Information submitted in July 2016 by the National Commission for Human Rights in relation to the implementation of the International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in Greece. Available at https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CERD/Shared%20Documents/GRC/INT_CERD_IFN_GRC_244 94_E.pdf. The Explanatory Report to the Istanbul Convention (Council of Europe, Treaty Series No. 210) contains recommendations that States should provide a minimum of one woman’s shelter space per every 10,000 inhabitants. Available at https://rm.coe.int/16800d383a.