The ongoing trial of Nizar El Gadi is providing “an insight” into the mind of perpetrators, according to Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli.
Mr El Gadi is accused of murdering his estranged wife, lawyer Margaret Mifsud, in 2012.
The trial started last Monday.
Dr Dalli made the passing remark yesterday when addressing a seminar organised by the Domestic Violence Commission on raising awareness among perpetrators about the consequences of their behaviour and available treatment. She said when a victim of domestic violence was taken away from the perpetrator, he would find another victim.
Not enough was being done to address offenders, she added.
The commission’s chair, Yana Micallef Stafrace, acknowledged that victims were the ones who usually sought support, while perpetrators often did not acknowledge they should ask for help.
I don’t think that we say and do enough, when it comes to dealing with perpetrators
At the moment, there is only one perpetrator programme in Malta, which is offered by Aġenzija Appoġġ. Insisting on the need to raise awareness that violence was unacceptable, Dr Dalli said: “I don’t think that we say and do enough, when it comes to dealing with perpetrators.”
She referred to past proposals that urged judges to hand down sentences obliging perpetrators to undergo treatment. The minister also spoke of prevention and raising awareness among students, so that future generations would become less tolerant of violence.
The seminar was addressed by Prof. Aisha Gill, from the University of Roehampton, who spoke of different forms of abuse, noting that perpetrators often used intimidation, saying they would kill the children if they were abandoned, and preventing victims from going to work or contacting relatives.
Speaking about the situation in the UK, but echoing local concerns, she noted that the law had some blind spots, such as misclassifying victims and perpetrators when a victim retaliated and the perpetrator reported the victim.
sarah.carabott@timesofmalta.com
Safety Plan
• Talk to family and friends so that they can look out for you
• Speak to university counsellor or lecturer you trust
• Avoid isolated areas and do not walk home alone
• Save threatening or harassing e-mails and text messages
• Set social networking profiles to private
• Call 112 if you feel immediate danger
How to help a friend
• Listen first to what they have to say
• Talk to them in private and keep it confidential as gossip puts them in danger
• Let them know you are concerned
• Refer to incidents you have personally witnessed
• Mention other people they might talk to – relatives, a helpline, a counsellor