The Malta Women's Lobby (MWL) has expressed deep concern over the findings of a recent Eurobarometer survey on attitudes towards sexual violence in the country, and called on government and the relevant authorities to address these "troubling attitudes."
In a statement issued Thursday, the MWL was referring to a Eurobarometer survey which among other things revealed that one in five people in Malta believe that a woman is partly to blame if she suffers sexual violence while drunk or high.
The MWL said that while the study highlights some progress in the public condemnation of physical violence and certain forms of harassment, it exposes deeply entrenched misogynistic beliefs that continue to perpetuate victim-blaming, undermine survivors, and hinder gender equality.
The statement said that the survey's revelation that one in five respondents blame women for suffering sexual violence while drunk or high is "a stark reflection of the persistent culture of victim-blaming in Malta."
"Such attitudes deflect responsibility from perpetrators, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and discouraging survivors from coming forward," the MWL said.
The lobby emphasized that equally alarming is the finding that one in three believe that women fabricate or exaggerate rape claims - an attitude that delegitimises genuine survivors and fosters an environment of scepticism and inaction.
The statement said that the notion that women who have their intimate photos leaked are "partly to blame" (endorsed by 55% of respondents) reflects a glaring lack of understanding of consent and privacy in the digital age.
"No one should ever be held accountable for the violation of their privacy; instead, the focus must shift to condemning those who exploit and abuse such vulnerabilities," the lobby group said.
While the high disapproval of physical violence is encouraging, the MWL said that the finding that one-third of respondents find financial control by male partners acceptable is beyond troubling.
"Financial abuse is a form of coercion and control that traps women in abusive relationships, undermining their autonomy and independence. Addressing this issue requires robust public awareness campaigns to educate the population about the less visible, but equally damaging, forms of abuse," the MWL said.
The statement said that the survey provides a glimpse of progress, as Maltese respondents overwhelmingly disapprove of catcalling, physical violence, and control over a partner's social media.
"However, these positive findings are overshadowed by the widespread acceptance of attitudes that trivialise women's autonomy that range from dismissing online abuse to accepting certain forms of relationship control," the MWL said.
The lobby group said that it is the duty of the state to build a society where victim-blaming, misogyny, and gender-based violence are unequivocally condemned and eradicated.
It urged the government and relevant authorities to address these troubling attitudes through comprehensive educational and awareness raising campaigns, and to do so with concrete action, rather than the usual lip-service.
"Furthermore, the slow pace of legal proceedings related to domestic violence and femicide court cases, as well as the freedoms that the Maltese judicial system bestows upon perpetrators are clear indications that these serious crimes are treated lightly and not regarded with the gravity that they deserve," the MWL said.
It continued that such circumstances, essentially promote the shameful notion that women's lives and the safety of women and girls are not a priority for the country's institutions.
"As a country we can, and must do better in this area," the MWL said.