Institutional Violence

The single most important psychological step.

When an institution fails or mistreats you, it’s natural to conclude you must have done something wrong, or that you’re overreacting.

That self-doubt is itself part of the harm (researchers call this “institutional betrayal” or “secondary victimization”). Recognizing it for what it is a failure of the system, not of you protects your sense of reality and your resolve.

This mirrors the abuse logs you already have, but the target is now the institution.

For each contact, record the date and time, the office, the name and badge/ID number or job title of who you dealt with, exactly what was said and done (or refused), and any reference/case/protocol number. Note witnesses.

The asymmetry of power means your detailed, contemporaneous record is one of your strongest assets if you later escalate.

Gather copies (photos or scans stored somewhere safe) of your ID and passport, bank and card details, tax records, payslips, property deeds or rental agreements, insurance, loan and debt records, and any benefits paperwork.

Know which accounts exist, who is named on them, and the passwords.

Having this ready is one of the things that makes leaving feasible when the moment comes.

Verbal promises and verbal refusals evaporate.

Ask for written confirmation, copies of reports you file, and protocol numbers.

When you make a request or a complaint, submit it in writing (email or a stamped/registered document) so there’s a dated, undeniable record. Keep copies of everything.

The same logic as the stalking log applies: keep a dated record of incidents money taken, accounts you were blocked from, threats about money, times you were prevented from working.

A financial paper trail matters for protection orders, divorce or custody proceedings, and debt disputes.

Most systems expect you to raise an issue internally first. Ask for a supervisor; file a formal written complaint within the institution and keep the reference.

If that fails or the problem is serious, go to external oversight. In Greece, the main channels are:

The Greek Ombudsman (Συνήγορος του Πολίτη) an independent authority that investigates maladministration across public services (police stations, prisons, hospitals, schools, ministries, social-security bodies).

It also functions as the national mechanism that investigates arbitrary acts by police, coast guard, fire-service and prison staff and reviews the related disciplinary procedures, and it inspects places of detention to prevent torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. You can submit a report online, in person at Chalkokondyli 17, Athens (weekdays 08:30–14:00), or by post, and there’s a Thessaloniki office too. Phone: (+30) 213 1306 600.

Note the usual rule: you’re generally expected to have contacted the public service involved first, and to turn to the Ombudsman only if that contact didn’t resolve the problem.

Internal Affairs of the Security Forces Ministry of Civil Protection (Υπηρεσία Εσωτερικών Υποθέσεων Σωμάτων Ασφαλείας) for criminal or corrupt conduct by police/coast guard/fire personnel.

It accepts both named and anonymous complaints; for named complaints you can follow up on the progress of your case, which isn’t possible for anonymous ones.

A lawyer, for civil liability, disciplinary complaints, or — where domestic remedies are exhausted — onward routes.

Greek police-misconduct cases have, in fact, reached the European Court of Human Rights, with the Ombudsman’s findings playing a role in pushing for real disciplinary investigation.

If and when you’re preparing to leave, financial preparation is part of safety planning:
the private account, the emergency fund, the documents, knowing your entitlements to benefits or support.

Leaving without this is harder and riskier, which is precisely why abusers create the dependence in the first place.

The documentation above isn’t just for your own clarity, it’s the evidence an oversight body or court needs.

A recurring weakness these mechanisms have flagged is investigations being handed to officers from the same unit as those complained about, and selective use of available evidence  which is exactly why your independent record, witnesses, and written requests matter so much.

Being failed by an institution after already being harmed is a recognized form of re-traumatization.

Persistence is necessary but draining, so pace yourself, lean on people who believe you, and use counseling support so the fight doesn’t hollow you out.

Persistence plus a clean record is what tends to move these systems; the goal is to outlast the inertia without burning yourself down.

When a system treats you as if your experience doesn’t count, it’s easy to start believing that. It isn’t true. The failure is theirs to answer for, and the record you keep is how you hold them to it.