The number of reports of domestic violence received by the Police has doubled in a decade, up from the 851 received in 2011 to 1,745 in 2021. This was reported by The Malta Independent on Sunday. 

The surge in the number of cases was seen mostly in the last two full years, mostly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which saw restrictions on outdoor activities that kept people at home more than in previous times. 

These are very worrying statistics. While the numbers rising are indicative that domestic violence victims are feeling safer coming forward and reporting such abuse – which is a very important step, the high numbers also paint a worrying picture about Malta in general. 

Police Superintendent Johann Joseph Fenech, who is responsible for the Domestic Violence Unit, acknowledged that the Covid-19 pandemic led to more reports of domestic violence being filed. The level of stress increased in those months, he said. “If there is a certain type of grudge between family members, the fact that you are locked in a house together will allow for arguments to arise,” he said. 

The virus had an impact on many people, but there is no excuse for acts of domestic violence. Such violence does not necessarily equate to physical violence, which is an often overlooked fact. There is also verbal, or emotional violence. Berating or belittling a family member, using emotional abuse can be just as bad. 

When a child is brought up in a home where one parent abuses another… that can leave emotional scarring on that child, even if he or she was not the target of such abuse. 

We need to work together to ensure that there are fewer victims of domestic violence in the country. We must educate our young to know the signs, and hopefully they would be able to recognise when they are entering into an abusive relationship from an early moment and change course. We must educate people to ensure that if they are in an abusive relationship, they can have the courage to step forward, report it and seek the help they may need. 

If a husband or wife abuses their spouse in one way or another… they will not change. If a child is in the home, observing such acts will have a traumatic impact on them. Get out and seek help. 

Direct abuse is not the only form of domestic violence. Child-neglect is also a form of domestic violence, Fenech explained during the interview. Children need to be brought up in a safe, loving and stable environment. Teachers play an important role in identifying children who may be neglected by their parents, but as do others, such as those who run after school activities or sports activities. We all need to learn the signs. 

The setting up of a Domestic Violence Unit within the police force is a good step to help tackle this form of violence. Now we must improve education on this issue, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and victims are kept safe.