Violence at Safi Barracks

The incidents at Safi Barracks, where physical aggression was used between AFM soldiers and illegal immigrants, may reflect a lack of professional psychological assistance being given in this setting.

It seems that the psychology profession is still not given the importance it deserves in Malta. Prevention is better than cure, and in my opinion, psychologists and psychology graduate trainees may act as pivotal tools in such occupational settings, where both illegal immigrants and soldiers could be offered psychological services.

This is the first physical aggression incident widely heard of in this setting; however, aggression, which refers to the intentional infliction of some form of harm on others, may have been previously present in other forms. In fact, it seems that verbal aggression had also occurred at these detention facilities, perhaps even from both sides.

In such detention settings, frustration could have easily triggered such a physical outburst. The AFM soldiers may have felt frustrated for a long time, on having been exposed to deal with people who have been through traumatic experiences, perhaps even without receiving appropriate psychological assistance and adequate training.

On the other hand, the illegal immigrants may have been through severe trauma on having to flee their homes, and I am sure that the last thing they would want is to go through another major trauma in another country! Whatever the reasons, violence is never justified, and rather than just pointing fingers, those responsible have to act to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

In my opinion, it would be of great help if both soldiers and illegal immigrants were offered psychological assistance. The soldiers may need help in coping in what may be an environmentally stressful setting; while the illegal immigrants may need help to cope with the trauma of being forced to flee their country.

Counselling services may help both soldiers and illegal immigrants cope better with these stressful situations. Furthermore, social skills training programmes may equip both groups with constructive strategies by which to get along with one another.

Last but not least, a psychological theory proposes that people who feel good are not aggressive. So I think priority has to been given to creating a positive environment for the illegal immigrants and the soldiers who work with them, for a positive atmosphere to prevail.