Commission on Domestic Violence's first annual report

NCW congratulates the Commission on Domestic Violence for the valid work it has been carrying out in such a short time, since the relevant legislation was enacted in March 2006.

The annual report highlights, among other initiatives, awareness-raising activities at different levels to educate the public, the co- ordination of different domestic violence services on a national level, and the importance of networking.

During a meeting with the Commissioner, NCW representatives Grace Attard and Doris Bingley made proposals about policy and practice. They highlighted the importance of strategies to develop a comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach of active prevention and early detection intervention which the Council has developed with its counterparts in European countries and the United States over the last 15 years.

More recently, NCW contributed to the White Paper on Domestic Violence (2005-2006) through its proposals, among others, for measures to ensure that court procedures are not unnecessarily delayed and measures to maximise security for all the members of the family.

The frequent contacts with individuals, mostly women, going through these difficult times, have provided the council with information on the negative consequences that need to be addressed in the fight against violence.

One of the European Commission's priorities is to strengthen policies and to implement programmes to effectively empower women experiencing domestic violence, in particular at the workplace, where very often, these vulnerable women are more likely to be the target of other forms of violence.

EESC member Grace Attard has been working at EU level on opinions on the effects of domestic violence against women and also specifically on the effects on children as witnesses of domestic violence. This consultation process with the Commission has provided insight into more effective ways of dealing with this problem, which can be adapted to the Maltese situation through projects under the European Structural Funds.