According to the recent statistics published, there were 1,257 cases of domestic violence in Malta last year. What is your opinion on this? Is this worse or better?

You cannot really gauge whether domestic violence is increasing or lessening. When it comes to awareness, I believe things have improved. We now have the commission for domestic violence, NGOs, and issues of domestic violence being broadcast on the media, so people are more aware about this phenomenon nowadays.

From our end, the number of clients coming to us has remained mostly the same, if not increased slightly, but that wouldn’t justify the statement that domestic violence has increased. I would say rather that people are more willing to accept help. However, what has changed is definitely the awareness and the increase in people filing reports.

Can you speak to us a bit about domestic violence?

The whole point of domestic violence is about power, control and isolation. Therefore, there is a tendency for family members, friends to be removed from the picture in order for the victim to become dependent on the perpetrator. The perpetrator makes you feel like a rabbit among wolves because they destroy your ego and self-esteem so much you become scared of everything. Ultimately, that’s the goal of the perpetrator.

Has society’s view on domestic violence changed?

Back then it was taboo, nowadays the culture seems to be shifting slowly as individuals are speaking up, rather than keeping it behind closed doors. This stigma is changing in our generation. It seems like we are moving into a culture which leans more towards an individualistic mindset rather than a collective one. In the sphere of domestic violence, this works in our favour as more people are eager to seek help for themselves and their family members.

When it comes to violence, this approach makes sense. Violence is always wrong, and you should always take care of yourself first!

What do you think of the current practice of treating domestic violence as a one-way street and focusing exclusively on male abusers/female victims?

Unfortunately, it’s the norm that the man is the perpetrator and the woman is the victim, but this is not always the case. There is quite an interesting percentage which represents crime against men. When males are victims of domestic violence it becomes tricky as there is this cultural component that males are meant to be stronger and some are even laughed at if a male states that he is a victim of domestic violence. I guess it has a lot to do with gender roles and the cultural context within our society in which males are perceived to be stronger and macho, thus one can find it difficult to accept that a male can be abused physically and/or psychologically by a person of a different gender. In fact, some don’t even believe that a male can experience domestic violence from his partner, which makes this situation even more complicated when these victims interact with agencies and different professionals. Thus, most prefer to suffer in silence as they tend to not have faith in the system.

What services does Victim Support offer?

VSM provides support and assistance to victims of crime, such as theft and burglary, domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, discrimination and cybercrime among others.

The services provided by VSM include emotional support to assist victims in overcoming trauma following a crime; legal information pertaining to the relative criminal procedures (e.g. the victims’ right to request compensation and to access forms of protection provided by the law); and practical assistance (e.g. liaison with the police, or other ancillary matters).

Victim Support Malta can be contacted on 21228333 or email info@victim support.org.mt