To inform, prevent and raise awareness about gender-based and domestic violence and the use of substances known as “rape drugs,” the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Committee of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (DPESS) of Aristotle University, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, is organizing an event titled “Gender-Based and Domestic Violence – The Rape Drug.” The event will take place on Monday 16 November 2026 at 12:00 in the Amphitheater of the Glass Building at DPESS in Thermi.

The event seeks the active participation of students and aims to create a meaningful dialogue in a safe environment, where students can express concerns, ask questions and receive answers from competent and specialized professionals. In this way, the event aims to offer not just an opportunity for information, but a meaningful process of awareness-raising, knowledge exchange and strengthened prevention.

Through presentations by specialized speakers, participants will gain reliable knowledge, learn to recognize dangerous situations and strengthen their ability to protect themselves and support people who may be experiencing incidents of violence. 

At the event, the Chair of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Professor Evangelia Kouidi, and the Chair of the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Committee of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Professor Stella Douka, will deliver greetings.

Elena Rapti, Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, responsible for Equality and Human Rights, will give a speech at the event. In her speech, the Deputy Minister will present, among other things, the Network of Structures for the Prevention and Handling of Violence and Multiple Discrimination Against Women of the General Secretariat for Equality and Human Rights (GSEHR) of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, which provides specialized support and protection services to women victims of violence.

The Network includes 47 Counseling Centers, 20 Shelters and the 24-hour SOS Helpline 15900, and offers counseling, psychological, employment and legal support, as well as safe accommodation to women who have experienced violence. In addition, the speech will emphasize the so-called “rape drug,” the risks associated with using substances to facilitate sexual abuse, and the need to raise awareness in the university community, especially among young people.

A representative of the Hellenic Police and a psychologist, both specializing in gender-based and domestic violence, will also speak.