The Equality Ministry is encouraging the public to break the cycle of domestic violence, through the launch of a series of posters and sessions aimed at empowering those at high risk of abuse.
The campaign 'Break the cycle' focuses on domestic violence and the different realities which may keep women from leaving the perpetrator.
“Everyone comes from different backgrounds, for instance a woman who is a victim of domestic violence could also have a disability,” Equality Minister Helena Dalli told a news conference, adding that all these realities influenced the conditions of the individual.
A one-size-fits-all solution would certainly not solve the problem of domestic and gender based violence, she said.
After ratifying the Istanbul convention and speaking to stakeholders, Malta could now start to address the different realities of the victims, Dr Dalli said.
Silvan Agius, director at the Human Rights and Integration Directorate, said the project aimed to help those in high risk situations be empowered and autonomous.
It will focus on particular segments of society - particularly migrants, those who were not heterosexual and persons with a disability. Statistics showed these segments of society were at particular risk of violence, he said.
The initiative is being held with various stakeholders including the LGBTIQ rights movement and the commission for disability, Mr Agius said.
Girl guides and scouts are also taking part.
Mr Agius said the campaign also wanted to target men and the victim-blaming culture.
He said studies were underway to find out what kept victims from leaving. These studies would look at the reasons and then teach and inform the public about where to look help. Attention was also being given to those at risk.
Domestic violence commissioner Simone Cini encouraged the media to steer away from victim-blaming.
"We don’t know whether the woman went back and was stalked repeatedly, or whether she was harassed and had to go back to the perpetrator," she said, urging the media not to be sensational in its reporting of domestic violence.
The project is co-funded by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship programme of the European Union.