A commitment against domestic violence

We still meet people from all sectors of society who do not recognise domestic violence as a serious problem of Maltese society. It is highly likely that such an impression reflects the difficulty someone who lives in a loving family experiences in comprehending the hell of living with physical, emotional and sexual abuse that characterise domestic violence.

A review of some salient facts convinces us to refute such an impression:

Since Appogg (then the Social Welfare Development Programme) was established in 1994, introducing state funded services for individuals and families victims of domestic violence, there have been 2,717 persons who have sought their services. A number of these persons experienced domestic violence to such an extent that they had to leave their home in order to escape. Such individuals move into shelters for survivors of domestic violence.

The state operated shelter Ghabex, also part of Appogg, has since opening its doors in October 2000 provided shelter to 241 women. Women with children prefer to take the children with them once they have decided to leave home, thus shelters keep children of different ages together with the mothers. Ghabex gave shelter to 238 children, an average of nearly one child per person.

Services developed by Appogg for perpetrators of domestic violence, although at first instance very much against our cultural predisposition, have also attracted a number of persons for treatment. Since these services started being offered in January 1999 by Appogg, they attracted 181.

The number of reports filed with the police regarding domestic violence has also increased. Over the last six years the total number of such reports reached 1,056.

It is also shocking to note that in a recent national survey carried out by the National Statistics Office for the Ministry for Social Policy among a sample of 400 persons, 22 per cent of those interviewed (representing almost 60,000 individuals) said they know of a woman who is a victim of domestic violence within their neighbourhood.

We strongly believe that every Maltese citizen and every person living in our communities should have the opportunity to grow and live in a safe and loving family. Domestic violence, on the contrary, is one of the major treats to the strength and value of families in Malta. Domestic violence turns the hope of a loving and nurturing family into a living hell.

Anyone committed to the value of the family should mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by further committing oneself to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all the necessary services, programmes, policies and legal provisions are developed to support Maltese families in providing a safe and loving place for children, women and men to live in and develop their full potential.

Dr Gonzi is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy and Mrs Cristina and Mr Agius are parliamentary secretaries at the Ministry for Social Policy.