March to stress call for Domestic Violence Act

Citizens are being invited to protest against domestic violence in a silent march this morning organised by concerned citizens and professional bodies.

The marchers will leave City Gate, Valletta at 10.30 a.m. and proceed to parliament.

The protest is being held just days after the murder of 32-year-old Josette Scicluna, who was repeatedly stabbed in front of her seven-year-old daughter last week.

The organisers are hoping that the public will show their support for the drawing up of a Domestic Violence Act that would give victims realistic options of breaking free from their situation and establishing a violence-free existence for themselves and their children.

"Victims of domestic violence have to go through many stages of trauma before any action is taken against the perpetrator, often resulting in nothing more than a petty fine, with the increased risk of violence being repeated as punishment. Urgent action is needed to remedy a dire social problem," a spokesman for the organisers said.

"You never know what is going on behind closed doors. Domestic violence is on the increase and affects all social strata," the spokesman said. "People should take a stand and show that they care."

Statistics show that last year Agenzija Appogg dealt with more than 420 cases of domestic violence. A source close to Appogg's domestic violence unit said many women live in fear because there is no law to protect them.

"Normally they do not want to break up the marriage. Research showed that women usually try to leave their partner around seven times before taking the big step and ending the marriage for good," the source said.

If abuse is present, it will take a big effort from the part of the perpetrator to change, the source said.

The spokesman for the protest march also said that it sometimes takes years for victims to admit they have a problem. They then go to the police and initiate court proceedings.

"They are forced to leave their homes and possessions, often in the middle of the night, for their and their children's safety. These victims, often women, then face lengthy and costly court battles, a sluggish welfare system, not to mention public shame."

The children often end up as perpetrators of violence themselves unless this problem is addressed.

"Society cannot keep turning a blind eye to domestic violence. We all know someone who has suffered, or is suffering, at the hands of the same people who are supposed to love them."

Those attending the march are being asked to wear black or purple.