Domestic violence by men against women, whether physical or psychological, is one of the gravest violations of human rights: the right to life and to physical and psychological integrity. Its consequences are devastating, resulting in mental as well as physical and psychological problems. It is widespread at all levels of society.

Domestic violence is a criminal act in all forms of intimate relationships and not just in marriage. It is not a sickness although its incidence can be increased and aggravated as a result of abuse of alcohol intake and a number of mental health conditions. It affects not only the victims themselves but also other family members, especially children. However, awareness of children as indirect victims of domestic violence is still limited.

Although there have been situations of violence by women against men, the highest rates (over 80 per cent) reveal that the perpetrators are men. Unfortunately, aggressive incidents of violence often resulting in brutal deaths as a result of domestic problems, reported regularly in the local media, are hardly linked to domestic violence.

In the European Union, 20-25 per cent of women suffer physical violence in their adult life and over 10 per cent are victims of sexual violence. It is deemed that every fifth women has been subject to domestic violence and, in certain cases, even being killed by their partners or former partners.

Another form of violence is sexual harassment, which occurs at the workplace and/or elsewhere. The National Council of Women believes there is need to give more attention to the most vulnerable women in society including those unemployed, low-wage earners and, not least, female offenders who have experienced domestic violence and who are serving time in prison. Addressing the issue of the increase of violence on TV/internet and in relationships of teenagers/young couples is also a priority.

In the case of prostitution, more than half of the women involved have been raped or sexually assaulted by their pimps. A parallel reality is that of trafficking in women, also directly associated to prostitution. Women and girls are being trafficked for sexual exploitation in most EU member states, which are either countries of origin or act as transit point or destination of trafficking in human beings.

According to a survey conducted recently by Eurobarometer, which monitored the evolution of public opinion on domestic violence throughout EU countries, 77 per cent of the Maltese population believe domestic violence is widespread on the island, deeming sexual and physical abuse as the worst. Psychological abuse also featured high on the list. The study also revealed that public awareness rose from 94 per cent in 1999 to 98 per cent in 2001. There has also been a 25 per cent increase in the number of cases reported in 2009 over 2008. This is the result of increased awareness whereby women’s social and financial independence are motivating them to report the abuse.

The NCW recognises the important work being done through shelters for victims and their families, especially in their efforts to assist victims to come out of the trauma and reintegrate them in society. However, it believes all legal aspects should be explored to strengthen legislation in areas where there are weaknesses, such as with regard to the eviction of the perpetrator from the home and domestic violence on children as victims or witnesses.

The NCW supports the work being done by the National Commission on Domestic Violence and fully supports an integrated, multidisciplinary approach, focusing more on prevention and early detection as the NCW has been recommending for the past years.

A successful integrated approach requires adequate and professional training in different sectors such as in the health services: professionals in the hospital emergency department, primary care, in particular the general practitioner, pregnancy and childbirth services, including gynaecologists, midwives and nurses, who are often in a position to detect early signs of violence.

Training for members of the Police Force should be ongoing, with focus on dealing with cases of domestic violence as a criminal act and not simply as a family matter that can be patched up, in particular at the earliest stages of reporting.

There is the need to increase the number of professionals in social welfare services having specialised and focused training when dealing with women victims, children, elderly victims or relatives. Currently, those interested in specialisation have to do so at their own expense.

Although there is access to free legal aid in cases where victims are not economically independent, there is the need to ensure the number of legal advisers remunerated by the state is adequate to meet the needs of clients and to help reduce the waiting time for court proceedings to start and to be brought to an end

More consideration needs to be given in Family Court proceedings to the risks associated with domestic violence, in particular the high probability that such risks will not end once the couple has separated. Thus, follow-up services after separation need to be provided. Measures should also include follow-up of victims in the workplace during this process and after.

Violence against women is one of the three priorities of the European Commission as set out in its programme for the follow-up to the Roadmap for Equality between Women and Men (2010-2015). Raising awareness of domestic violence is not a one-off event sometime in November; it needs to be addressed through coordinated efforts on a daily basis.

The author is president, National Council of Women.

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