The Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence has collaborated with LESA as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign to reinforce Malta's national response to domestic and gender-based violence.

The partnership forms part of the Commission's 'Għandna Ħolma: Futur Mingħajr Vjolenza' (We Have A Dream: A Future Without Violence) campaign, which LESA supported through funding.

The Commission also appointed a professional expert to deliver specialised training aimed at improving the awareness and sensitivity of LESA officers when encountering potential cases of abuse during their daily duties. The Commissioner, Samantha Pace Gasan, and LESA CEO Svetlick Flores attended the session, underscoring government efforts to strengthen inter-agency cooperation in preventing and responding to violence against women and domestic abuse.

Commissioner Pace Gasan emphasised the importance of the initiative, noting that enforcement officers "play a crucial role in early identification and timely intervention" and that strengthening their understanding of abuse ensures vulnerable individuals are approached with "empathy, knowledge and appropriate support".

Flores praised the workshop's practical focus, with one LESA officer reportedly remarking that the scenario-based exercises helped officers better recognise warning signs and manage delicate situations while remaining professional and safe.

The training was led by Professor Marceline Naudi, former University of Malta lecturer and former President of the Council of Europe's GREVIO committee. Her expertise provided officers with insight into identifying and handling complex cases of abuse. The interactive workshop encouraged open discussion, reflection and exercises based on real-life scenarios.

Topics covered included the definition of domestic and gender-based violence, recognising signs of abuse, understanding its dynamics, offering assistance to victims, and examining real cases likely to arise in LESA officers' work.

The ongoing collaboration aims to ensure officers are better equipped and informed, enabling them to support vulnerable individuals more effectively