Call for preventionof domestic violence

Women's organisations are calling for preventative action to stop domestic violence by offering help to victims and addressing the behaviour of perpetrators before it is too late.

One of the most effective ways to prevent such violence was early action with victims who were at risk, so it was imperative that law enforcement authorities acted on victims' reports, Appoġġ agency said.

On a similar note, the Women's Study Group called on the authorities to hammer home the message that violence was unacceptable and to take action against perpetrators before the situation escalated to murder or extreme violence.

The National Council of Women suggested setting up a multidisciplinary prevention plan to deal with such violence, and the Social Policy Ministry's Commission on Domestic Violence called on the public's help to expose abuse that went on behind closed doors.

The organisations stood up against domestic violence in reaction to the murder of Catherine Agius, 40, whose husband turned himself in to the police and now stands charged with stabbing her to death in Tarxien on July 13.

That same week two men were charged with beating up their partners. Last year, there were 719 people arraigned on cases related to domestic violence, according to information given in Parliament in June.

"Every time tragedy strikes in this way we are reminded that although we do have various services in Malta to combat domestic violence and help those who experience it, we still need to do better," the commission said.

"The different systems that come into contact with domestic violence - whether part of the welfare system, health, the police or the courts - need to work closer to better safeguard women who may be going through such difficult situations."

The commission said that despite its efforts to raise awareness on domestic violence, such cases still occurred. It called on society to be aware of everyday tragedies.

"Help us help the people who are in this situation. Help us help them to help themselves," the commission said.

Maryanne Gauci, service manager at Appoġġ's Adult and Family Services, pointed out that recent cases reported in the media highlighted the reality of this problem.

According to crime historian Eddie Attard, about 40 per cent of women murdered in Malta since the 1800s were killed by their husbands.

Lorraine Spiteri, from the Women's Study Group, stressed the need to expose young people to anger management techniques and the concepts of gender equality at schools to prevent such incidents.

Ms Gauci said: "It is tragic enough when victims fall prey to murder... But the tragedy has an extremely ironic and more morbid twist when the killing is committed by a partner who is supposed to show reciprocal caring and protection towards you... These tragedies have a further manifold effect when you consider the far-reaching effects, such as the psychological trauma and shock they have on the children and relatives of these victims".

She stressed that such violence was never the victim's fault because violent behaviour towards a person could never be justified.

Seek help

Prevention is key in reducing the number of cases of domestic violence, which is why it is important that both victims and perpetrators seek help.

"If you are a man who feels that you might be a perpetrator - who has problems controlling behaviour towards your partner through physical, emotional, verbal sexual, and/or financial abuse - you need to seek help," Ms Gauci said.

Perpetrators can start by talking to their doctor or going to see a psychologist or psychiatrist who may refer them to the Perpetrators' Services of Appoġġ.

Victims of violence who feel at risk or in danger must tell someone - a trusted member of the family or a close friend - and seek immediate help and file a police report. They can ask for someone from Appoġġ's Domestic Violence Service.

Appoġg can be contacted on 2295 9000 or by dialling the freephone 179. Police reports can be filed by the people involved or by third parties.