On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, addressed a National Commission for the Promotion of Equality conference entitled ‘Working Together to Combat Domestic Violence.’

The Minister said that, “every crime poses challenges to the authorities, yet domestic violence is peculiar in that its consequences often remain hidden until victims have suffered repeatedly, often over a span of years.”

“It is well known that victims of domestic violence, be they wives or children, and on occasion husbands, are reluctant to speak of the abuse they endure, with the result that neither the act nor its consequences are ever addressed by the authorities. Moreover, physical violence may be accompanied by other forms of abuse. The 2006 UK Home Office document ‘Lessons learned from Domestic Violence Enforcement Campaign’ claims a strong connection between domestic violence and child abuse. The same document estimates that domestic violence accounts for about 15% of violent crime in the UK.”

“As we all know, Maltese society is by no means immune to this phenomenon. It is with both regret and satisfaction to announce that between 1st January and 1st October this year the Police have initiated criminal proceedings against 241 persons on offences relating to domestic violence. I say this with satisfaction because action against domestic violence is clearly already being taken, and with regret because this number may actually represent only a proportion of perpetrators of this crime.”

“Domestic violence may of course take several forms, including emotional and sexual, apart from physical violence. This may lead the victim into deprivations in relation to education, housing and, of course health. Likewise the causes of domestic violence are manifold and may include drug abuse, alcoholism as well as unemployment or underemployment, depending on the specific case.”

“These factors make domestic violence difficult to address, thereby requiring the full involvement of several institutions, including legislators, law enforcement authorities, the Judiciary, educational establishments, non-governmental organisations and above all the Commission on Domestic Violence.”

“In view of the very nature of this crime, I believe that education has a central role to play, as we must get a message across to the victims that it is in their interest to report abuse at the earliest opportunity. It is a sad reality that perpetrators of domestic violence rarely, if ever, refrain from replicating their behaviour. This is clearly an uphill struggle, as we are dead-set against the fact that victims of domestic violence often believe, or perhaps induce themselves to believe, that things will change for the better.”

“Such an educational campaign must not only address women but also children, at schools and any other institution having an educational function. New and commendable initiatives, such as the 116 support numbers and their extensive advertisement, can prove instrumental in this regard.”

“However, the apprehension of offenders alone does not, by itself, address all the difficulties faced by the victims. Social support, by way of psychological and material assistance- possibly through the provision of temporary accommodation, may also prove necessary. This is especially true where the victim was financially dependent on the perpetrator, and may require support until he or she can resume a normal life. In this regard legislation can also play a significant role, such as compensation to victims of crime in cases of physical violence. Moreover, the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs is due to publish a White Paper on Restorative Justice, which provides for victim-offender meditation and victim reparation on the part of the perpetrator.”

“We also have to ensure that our Courts and the Police are fully aware of the vulnerability of victims of domestic violence and of the need to respect their dignity and address their specific needs. The Police would also have to direct victims of such crime to competent institutions that would be trained and equipped to help them get their lives back in order.”

“The legal backing to tackle domestic violence effectively has been in effect for some time, and maybe the changes that Domestic Violence Act contemplated where implemented too quickly for our society to absorb them. It is for this reason that we must continue striving to get the victims of domestic violence to put the fear behind them and come forward in reporting the abuses they suffer. The Commission on Domestic Violence has made this issue one of its top priorities, and rightly so.”

“Domestic violence calls for concerted action – each Department or organisation can do little on its own – yet together we can, and will, make a difference. We need to bring the knowledge that all the different stakeholders have gathered together to tackle this matter in a holistic manner.”

“This is, after all, our collective duty as human beings living in a democratic society.”

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