Nationalist MP Claudette Buttigieg today spoke out about the need for politicians to open their eyes to the reality of domestic violence which remains ever present in Maltese society today. During a visit to the ‘Dar Merhba Bik' with the PN Whip and spokesman for Citizens Rights and Social David Agius Dialogue and spokesman for the Family and Social politics Clyde Puli, Buttigieg urged that all political parties need to come together in order to remove such an issue from society.

David Agius mentioned the number of rapes in marriage, which were on the increase. He stressed that the government ought to put this at the top of parliamentary agenda in order to strengthen laws against domestic violence. Agius referred to the Istanbul Convention against Domestic Violence in the European Union signed last June. He also praised the Maltese Government in the European Union Presidency, who worked on this issue, but stressed that Maltese law must act as quickly as possible to avoid more cases resurfacing.

Clyde Puli addressed the impact of domestic violence, saying that it is not just the victim that is affected, but also the rest of the family, such as children. Where violence can go beyond just the parents but also parental violence towards the children can occur too. The importance of education was also raised by Puli who said that victims need to know what to do and where to go for help. He stressed the importance of homes like ‘Dar Merhba Bik’ and others, and that the government must ensure the victims of domestic violence are given the best assistance.

Dar Merhba Bik receives around 100 women and children every year but the home emphasised that its purpose is not just for woman, but for all who are subject to domestic violence, in that hope that they can assist them in returning back to their normal life.