Child abuse in Malta

Child abuse is an important reality that can seriously inhibit children's normal development. A United Nations report on children's well-being highlights the situation in Malta and calls for the proper appraisal of this reality to successfully fight child maltreatment (Convention on the Rights of the Child, 2000). Furthermore, it recommended multi-disciplinary measures, such as better law enforcement, child-friendly procedures, proper justice for perpetrators and more education programmes.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of child abuse within the family context in a sample of Maltese university students, and its potential effects on their psycho-spiritual status.

Out of 312 student participants, 214 were female (68.6 per cent) and 98 were male (31.4 per cent), aged 18 to 25. Child abuse was understood comprehensively as child sexual abuse (any sexual act between an adult and child), child emotional abuse (any attitude or behaviour that interferes with a child's mental health or social development), child physical abuse (any non-accidental injury to a child) and child neglect (physical and emotional neglect).

Severity of abuse and neglect was assessed through four ranges: none, low, moderate and severe. Almost 11 per cent of the participants qualified as "severely" abused and/or neglected. A higher incidence of childhood maltreatment was captured by less severe qualifications: 25 per cent qualified as "moderately" abused. The most prevalent form of abuse was emotional abuse and neglect, followed closely by physical abuse. Almost one in 10 respondents qualified as "moderately to severely" sexually abused.

Abused victims tend to be withdrawn and passive, with temperamental tendencies. This suggests difficulties for the person's interpersonal relationships as well as his/her ability to self-regulate.

The betrayal experience of trauma could serve as a source of mistrust that influences the quality of later relationships.

This study replicates classic studies indicating the important role the family environment plays in children's development. It found that abusive families are less loving, socially integrated and organised.

Results suggested that child maltreatment had both direct and indirect effects, thus indicating a cumulative effect. Abuse may affect more selectively, closer to trauma.

Young victims of abuse indicated poorer levels of religiosity, particularly in public worship and prayerful life, but not of spirituality. A victim of abuse may stop attending Church but still retains faith in God. Spirituality may have a unique impact in providing a framework through which painful experiences may be more easily borne.

Abuse correlated with high risk of significant low self-esteem, self-perceptions and self-respect.

It is therefore recommended that child abuse within the family context is a reality in Malta, occurring at a rate comparable to other Western countries. Thus, in line with the UN recommendations, this study highlights the need for a comprehensive assessment of child abuse in Malta, education programmes and appropriate public policy decisions regarding this problem. A next step beyond this study would be replication among the general population.

Although recent media revelations have focused on alleged child sexual abuse cases by some clergy, it needs to be reiterated that the realm of child abuse is both a larger domain than just sexual molestation and exists within every strata of the Maltese society. Thus, if we really care about our children and are really adamant against this evil, we should address it in every aspect and form it can disguise itself, within and without the family context, uncompromisingly.

Based on a doctoral study by Fr Galea - Ph.D. (Psychologist) - conducted in March 2002.