The many forms of child abuse

The feedback from my recent article on ‘Child Molestation in Malta’ in a local publication (Child magazine, March) has alerted me to the high degree of unawareness of the true nature of the local situation, both among the potential relatives of such victims and the professionals involved.

Aġenzija Appoġġ, an essential department in the Fondazzjoni għas-Servizzi ta’ Ħarsien Soċjali, has now offered a partial remedy to the situation through an electronic 16-page booklet that can be downloaded from the internet as ‘leaflet_abbuzi_children[1].pdf’ on their websites, respectively www.appogg.gov.mt and www.fsws.gov.mt

The document outlines in a very clear manner the nature of child abuse under its various forms, a few of which may not have seemed to be relevant to some sectors of the community.

Apart from the physical and sexual forms and the seemingly innocent manner it is carried out, emotional abuse is also highlighted together with abuse through neglect and that carried out through improper photography and the internet.

A number of very useful facts are also pointed out, and the advice is not limited to a compilation of dos and don’ts but to the practical manner in which such instances should immediately be reported to Aġenzija Appoġġ and the other authorities concerned so that early action could be taken.

I strongly recommend this document to all who are interested in keeping child molestation in Malta at bay, and curbing this immoral and criminal practice at the earliest moment possible. Let not the innocence of our young community be ruined by a few disturbed individuals who are left to their own devices simply because we could not be bothered.