Sakis Kehagiolou: Speech at Thessaloniki Law School on Gender Violence

On Saturday, March 29, 2025, renowned criminologist and Chief Justice of the Ecumenical Throne, Sakis Kehagiolou, delivered a speech to over 300 students from all years at the Law School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The event took place in the M. Anagnostakis Hall of the Thessaloniki Courthouse as part of a criminal law conference titled “Gender Violence and Justice: Issues and Policies,” organized by DAP-NDPK Law AUTh. Panel participants also included Deputy Minister of Education Zetta Makri, lawyer Theodore Karagiannis, and New Democracy MP Nefeli Hatziioannidou. The discussion was moderated by practicing lawyer and postgraduate student in Criminal Law at AUTh, Vasilis Bekas. Kehagiolou explored the topic of gender violence and justice, focusing on the legal dimensions and challenges facing modern criminal justice. The subject was analyzed through three main units: domestic violence, examining current legal frameworks and protections for victims; the problematic use of the term ‘femicide’ in legal terminology and public discourse; and the political and social response to gender violence, discussing contemporary policies and legislative initiatives. Following the speech, an engaging Q&A session with students addressed practical applications of criminal law principles in cases of gender violence. The conference underscored the importance of scientific dialogue in approaching complex legal issues, contributing significantly to legal education and awareness among young legal professionals. Attendees included Dean Panagiotis Glavinis, Deputy Minister of Development Stavros Kalafatis, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Konstantinos Gkioulekas, Deputy Minister Stathis Konstantinidis, MPs Dimitris Kouvelas and Diamantis Golidakis, Coordinator of the Prime Minister’s Office in Thessaloniki Giannis Papageorgiou, and President of the AUTh Law Students Association Haris Balatsos.