The figures related to reported cases of domestic violence which were announced yesterday by Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela were rather shocking.

Over a seven-year span, figures have risen tenfold. Last year there were just over a thousand reported cases of domestic violence when in 2004 there were over 100. The first question that springs to mind is to whether in a distorted way, the numbers are a reflection over the progress that we have made as a society.

It would be interesting to know whether the figures are increasing exponentially, or whether more victims are coming forward, coupled with ex ufficio investigations by the police. There is no doubt that we have broken down the stigma and sympathies tend to lie more with the victim than the abuser – who often in the past, posed as victims themselves.

And that is an element of progress. It means that victims are more encouraged to come forward and seek help. Crunching the numbers aside, what we do learn from all of this is that we need to listen to victims more.

Contacted for a reaction to the announcement that the police were to brainstorm to make strategic changes to the way the force deals with today’s realities, the Victims Support Group said that victims needed more protection.

There is no doubt that the courts are doing their bit by issuing protection orders, and there is no doubt that the police do try and enforce them. But the reality is that would mean a fixed point sentry at every door of a victim of domestic violence.

We need to get with the programme and introduce systems such as GPS tagging to deter perpetrators of violence from approaching their victims, while at the same time allowing for rapid intervention by the police if there is some form of approach.

Victims of abuse have long claimed that they are harassed in the street and threatened by their aggressors, more often than not partners or ex-partners.

The issue of delays in court is another one brought up by the support group. Victims have to turn up in court time and time again to face their aggressors as sittings are put off for one reason or another. Even when it does go smoothly, it still tends to be a long protracted court case. We have moved forwards in leaps and bounds. People are not as afraid as they used to be in reporting domestic abuse. What we now need to do is focus on their needs, the needs of the victims. Only then can we make that extra leap forward in reducing the incidence of domestic violence.