Labour MP Deo Debattista has provoked outrage on social media after appearing to suggest that women “define” whether or not they’ve been raped.

Dr Debattista, a medical doctor and member of the Parliamentary health committee, said during a committee hearing on the morning after pill yesterday: “Who can define rape? Isn’t it the woman who decides if it was rape? What if she says: ‘it was psychological rape’?”

He was responding to comments from Lorraine Spiteri, chairperson of the Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations, which supports the introduction of the MAP.

Ms Spiteri had said that it would be discriminatory to introduce the pill only for victims of rape, as has been suggested by some opponents. Dr Debattista’s comments seemed to be intended to indicate agreement with this position.

Ms Spiteri responded to Dr Debattista’s remarks by stressing that it is the law that defines rape.

Video of the exchange circulated widely on social media today, with many expressing their disgust at the comments.

Several commenters also noted that Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli, seated next to Dr Debattista, appears to place her head in her hands in exasperation as he makes the remarks. 

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