Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar said in court on Thursday she wanted to send out a message to all women that derogatory language was not appropriate and acceptable in a democratic society.
The young politician was testifying in libel proceedings instituted against Godfrey Leone Ganado and Rachel Antoinette Williams over Facebook posts wherein she was likened to a “prostitute” and “call girl”.
“I was hurt by those comments both personally and especially as a woman,” Ms Cutajar explained, adding that in today’s society much was said about violence, including verbal violence, which could possibly have a negative psychological impact upon its target.
Watch: “You have no right to call me a whore” – Labour MP
Referring to Mr Leone Ganado, the MP pointed out that she had been targeted by the man on previous occasions.
“I know that just as he attacked me, he also attacks others. He called me a prostitute and a whore, representing prostitutes in Parliament,” Ms Cutajar went on, adding that this speech was insulting since at the end of the day, she was a person who rendered a service to the country.
As for Ms Williams, the MP pointed out that the respondent had not attempted to put a stop to offensive comments posted on her Facebook wall in similar vein.
Rather than invite commentators to criticise Ms Cutajar without resorting to insulting speech, Ms Williams, showing no feminine solidarity, had replied with an hekk hu or qed tghid sew to comments that had likened the MP to a prostitute.
During Thursday’s hearing, Mr Leone Ganado also took the witness stand, being first shown a screenshot of a Facebook post wherein he had written “However, hamalli, prostitutes and call girls have a right to be represented in Parliament”.
“I wrote that because I felt that that was what I ought to write. After all, all groups should be represented in Parliament,” said Mr Leone Ganado.
When asked how his comment related to Ms Cutajar, the witness explained, “I qualify them as political prostitutes because they are given other jobs so as to keep their mouth shut. The majority of government MPs and persons of trust are political prostitutes.”
Asked about another comment which had read, “Does she no longer render personal services in Catania under the Cicciolina franchise?” Mr Leone Ganado pointed out that the comment had been posted by someone else.
Lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona was counsel to the respondents. Lawyers Edward Gatt and Mark Vassallo were counsel to Ms Cutajar.