In the past few days, the popular social media community group Women for Women has noted an increase in women sharing their personal accounts of sexual assault, abuse, rape and indecent exposure.

The posts have been tagged with the #metooMalta and #ibelieveyou, as more and more women have found the courage and support to anonymously post about the sexual abuse they have survived. For some, it was the first time that they opened up about their traumas. Reading the posts, some women explain how the abuse happened to them 30-40 years ago, and how they carry the shame, guilt and anger to this very day. Different women, coming from all walks of life and ages, have been sharing their stories to help others and to raise awareness.

The #Metoo movement encourages women to come forward and share their experiences of sexual misconduct. The lengthy posts reflect the hurt and pain some of the women have dealt with and how some for years felt alone and unable to speak up about their sexual abuse.

Many women recall how they were simply children when they were sexually abused, many committed by family members, close relatives or trusted adults. The stories include boyfriends, fathers, cousins and grandparents who took advantage of them. Others recalled how trusted community leaders and professionals such as lawyers, teachers and police officers manipulated girls and women, assaulting them, threatening them and blackmailing them.

The lengthy posts are heartbreaking to read, as women, young and old recall the moments of fear, anger and pure shame of what has happened to them. Some open up about the victim blaming they had faced for calling out their perpetrators and how they struggled to find support.  One woman recalled that she never went to the police as “I was scared that they would not believe me or say that it’s my fault too.” Unfortunately, many posts echoed similar feelings.

Latest statistics show that the rate of reported sexual offences went up by 21% over the past three years and over 11 years the police have reported 1,300 sexual offences.  In 2019, there were 62 victims who reported suffering attacks to police officers, leaving the public’s imagination just how many more cases were left unreported. The Crime Victimisation Survey of 2015 in Malta showed that 42.9% of victims attributed their incidents to various precipitation factors such as the mentality that ‘man is always right’. The Special Eurobarometer 449 on gender based violence of 2016 stated that 47% of Maltese people believed that women often make up or exaggerate claims of abuse or rape.

Empower one another through education and support

There are a number of NGOs and women support groups which tackle sexual harassment and domestic abuse and recently a new online group has formed with the main aim on educating the public on consent, safety and the law.

This newsroom spoke to Rebecca, one of the founders of White Tulip, a group which focuses on education, compassion and empowerment. “We believe in education and raising awareness on the topic for persons of all ages, particularly in children, the most vulnerable members of society,” explained Rebecca. She herself has experienced sexual assault, when at the age of 19; by her friend who drugged and assaulted her. “In the aftermath of my attack, I felt a huge lack of information and general openness to discuss the topic of sex crimes,” she said. “Whilst we all know that this happens, it still feels like a huge taboo which nobody wishes to speak about.”

White Tulip focuses on changing the narrative and for people to build a sense of compassion, for society to be more open to believing and to stop victim shaming. “I see that in society we tend to discuss what the victim was wearing or doing which could have led to them being assaulted, we want to shift this perspective and to listen and be more compassionate to others.”

White Tulip serves as an online support page, providing information and support for sexual abuse victims. “We point these people to the right organisations which can help them with the legal or psychological aid they need.” The group guide survivors to further services as a form of empowerment.

The next step is for White Tulip to register as an official NGO and branch out to people on a wider scale. Rebecca explained that education is key; education is what pushes change and what pushes people to discuss uncomfortable topics. “Unfortunately we hear many stories where children were sexually abused. How can a child understand what is happening to them if no one has ever spoken to them about consent, correct behaviour or what to do when the worst has happened,” she explained.  She said she hopes that White Tulip can focus on campaigning educational talks on consent for children and parents, to grow more awareness on such situations and break down the taboo.

You can learn more about White Tulip on their social media https://www.facebook.com/whitetulipmalta/

If you are in need of support, therapy or counselling you can contact Victim Support Malta who offers specialist support for those victims of sexual assault and rape. One can also  call 1770- Richmond Foundation. If you want to report abuse, speak to Victim Support Unit at the depot. One can also seek for support on kellimni.com, and 179.