A seminar today on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention on domestic violence stressed the need for education and awareness-raising of the problem.

The seminar, organised by the Commission on Domestic Violence, was attended by different stakeholders, including several police officers. Malta has ratified the convention that came into force on November 15. 

In Malta, domestic violence is one of the most unreported crimes. Participants were told the government is working on increasing the allocation of resources required to deal with this problem, and amending the necessary laws to come in line with the convention.

The Convention, adopted in Istanbul by all 47 Council of Europe Member States on May 11, 2011, is the first European treaty specifically targeting violence against women and domestic violence.

It sets out minimum standards on prevention, protection, prosecution and the development of integrated policies. Countries ratifying the treaty are obliged to protect and support victims of such violence.

They must also establish services such as hotlines, shelters, medical services, counselling and legal aid.

According to a recent EU Fundamental Rights Agency report, one in three women (33 per cent or 62 million women) across the 28 EU Member States has suffered physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15. These women are raped, mutilated, harassed, beaten or killed.

Governments bound by the convention will have to take a number of measures, including: 

• Addressing gender stereotypes and promoting changes in mentality and attitudes about the role of women and girls in society; 

• Training professionals to work with survivors or women at risk of violence and work closely with specialized NGOs; 

• Providing for both general and specialist support services which are appropriate and accessible for women and girls, including services for physical and psychological support, shelters, sexual violence referral centres and free 24/7 telephone help lines; 

• Developing a gender-sensitive asylum system - the obligation to protect includes the right to international protection. Women and girls who suffer from gender-based violence in third countries can seek protection in another state when their own fails to prevent persecution or to offer adequate protection and effective remedies.