NGO's have formed a coalition, called Men Against Violence to engage men of any age to stand up and end all forms of violence, particularly that directed against women and girls, be it domestic violence, sexual abuse, harassment and stalking, rape, including dating violence.

Several personalities – including Gianni Zammit, Ron Briffa, Joe Mifsud and John Suda – have been engaged as ambassadors for the cause. The aim is to pass on a stronger message that condones violence and prevent it from happening.

Addressing the launch of the coalition, Social Policy Minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca referred to the 2012 Pears’ Progress in International reading Survey, where 22 per cent of Maltese students said they were bullied on a weekly basis. This is higher than the international average which stands at 20 per cent.

“This could be a mirror of what is happening in our homes,” said Ms Coleiro Preca. “We need to analyse if there is a link between bullying and domestic violence – because that would mean that we need to work more on the roots,” she said.

The Men Against Violence spokesman Mark Pellicano said that victims of violence – be it men or women - often suffer alone, due to shame, lack of support, because they are brain-washed to believe that they deserve to be maltreated. “It is time understand that this is not a problem which can be solved by the victim but by the community - it is not a private matter, but a public one,” he said.

Equalities Minister Helena Dalli and PN spokesperson for Social Solidarity Clyde Puli both stressed on the consensus there is between the two political parties against all types of domestic violence – be it physical or psychological.