Women and children are not the only victims of domestic violence even if they are the most exposed to this abuse. Men also suffer from intimate partner violence that can take various forms including physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse. Accepting this reality will help to define the best strategies to deal with it.

Local statistics on domestic violence are scarce and not updated enough to confirm the extent of this problem. The US government Centre for Disease Control proves that in the US one in four women and one in seven men will experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. One in 10 women in the US will be raped by an intimate partner in their life. One cannot deny that the proliferation of domestic violence in Maltese society is serious.

Julienne Hince, Australia’s High Commissioner to Malta, writing in the Times of Malta argues that “the early seeds are sown if bad behaviour, such as a young boy slamming a door on a girl, is allowed to go unchallenged”.

The Mayo Institute in the US states that it may not be easy to recognise domestic violence against men. It advises victims of domestic abuse that: “Early in a relationship your partner might seem attentive, generous and protective in ways that later turn out to be controlling and frightening.” It goes further, urging victims of domestic abuse, whether women or men, to not take the blame for the abuser’s unacceptable behaviour.

Domestic violence also affects children, even if they are just witnesses. Children’s exposure to domestic violence puts them at risk of developmental problems, psychiatric disorders,problems at school, aggressive behaviour and low self-esteem.

A multi-pronged strategy is needed to address this complex problem. Protection of victims of domestic violence, especially women and children, is a top priority. The recent launching of The Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence Strategy is a landmark in the campaign against domestic violence.

We can also do more in the educational sector. A national campaign to raise awareness of this problem should not shy away from exposing the unpleasant consequences of domestic violence.

We also need to acknowledge the fact that domestic violence is often the consequence of severe personality disorders that are rarely addressed through medical and psychological means. It is essential that schools have adequate psychological support from medical professionals to identify and treat behavioural disorders in children.

While the government will always have an essential role in providing the right resources to combat domestic violence, the face-to-face work of dealing with such problems will still be best done by voluntary organisations with the assistance of various social, legal and medical professionals. These voluntary groups do a sterling work in our society and deserve the support of policymakers as well as of the different government organisations that can deal with the consequences of domestic abuse.

The Church too has an important role to play, even if some could argue that its influence in society has diminished. Parish priests often encounter sad cases of domestic violence in their pastoral work in our towns and villages. They need to network with government and voluntary organisations to provide the best support for victims.

This is a Times of Malta print editorial

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