There is still a lot of negativity towards women reporting domestic violence from their spouses while children endure the sad circumstances as well.

Statistically speaking, most couples, while a separation process is taking place, endure the most heinous conditions with outbursts of behaviour which is normal when a loss is on the horizon. Some behave worse than others, which boils down to machoism/submissiveness and control. Sadly to say it is usually the man who “comes out on top” and sorry to say but in this day and age, the man is always right and it is always the woman’s fault. This issue has to be addressed in the correct manner.

In many cases, lawyers, because the husband is paying the bill, will do whatever they are told to do and the wife receives whatever he feels she should receive – usually not much if she is lucky – “for her services” (which are virtually unrecognised). She remains tarnished for the rest of her life with no future and most of all loneliness stemming from people who side with the husband (as he is worth something) and choose to believe whatever they wish, which furthers the damage to her reputation.

Most of all, throughout these cases, I am saddened that the biggest victims in all of this are the children who most of the time, never get over this trauma, which repeats in relationships and future generations.

Where is the counselling? The first people I would like to meet are the parents as most usually are simply history repeating itself. Unless people talk honestly about these issues, this will become a time-bomb which sadly to say, has already exploded.

Fazila Sciberras

Swieqi