A new shelter called ‘Il-Milja’ has been inaugurated, which will host women who face abuse or violence as well as their children, the Archdiocese of Malta announced.

The shelter will be led by the Church through Fondazzjoni Sebħ. The victims the shelter will take care of are those victims of “domestic violence, human trafficking, forced prostitution as well as forced abortion”. It is located in Dar Ġesù Nazzarenu in Żejtun.

This shelter will include 12 apartments which will take in up to 36 people, and it cost the Church €1 million to modernise. The building also includes therapy rooms for adults and children, as well as open spaces for recreation in a safe environment, the church said.

The shelter was inaugurated by Archbishop Charles Scicluna together with the president of Malta George Vella and his wife, Miriam.

In his message before inaugurating and blessing this shelter, the Archbishop spoke of the “spiritual motherhood” shown by several women, including sisters, who worked to give dignity to hundreds of children and even women who have been through difficult times.

Fondazzjoni Sebħ is a non-governmental organization of the Archdiocese of Malta that runs four residential homes for children and young people, offering them a safe upbringing and love. Fondazzjoni Sebħ also runs a prevention and social work service community support in Ħamrun and Marsa.