Helpline 1779 has been launched, the Ministry for Social Policy and the Family has announced in a statement on Tuesday. This is a dedicated support line for individuals affected by image-based sexual abuse, including the sharing or threatened sharing of intimate images without the person's consent, a practice also known as "revenge porn."
The service aims to provide those experiencing this form of abuse with a confidential, non-judgmental, and accessible point of contact where they can receive emotional support, safety-focused guidance, and information on the options available to them.
The work of 1779 focuses on ensuring that individuals facing such a situation do not have to navigate it alone during moments of fear, uncertainty, or crisis, the Ministry said.
These details were announced on Tuesday morning by the Minister for Social Policy and the Family Michael Falzon, who emphasized the importance of strengthening support for those affected by this type of sexual abuse.
“Let us bear in mind the human impact of this abuse. It takes only a few seconds to share these images, yet the consequences remain with the victim for a lifetime. I therefore urge anyone affected to overcome their fear, come forward, and receive all the necessary support,” Falzon said.
During the same conference, the reasons preventing victims of this abuse from seeking help were discussed. These include the fear of being blamed or judged, concerns about whether they will be believed, and the fear that reporting the incident could lead to the images being shared further in the public domain.
CEO of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) Alfred Grixti spoke about the importance of social services continuing to respond to emerging forms of abuse and the new challenges facing individuals and families. Grixti stated that callers receive a confidential and non-judgmental response, emotional support and safety-focused guidance, information on available options, assistance in identifying practical steps that can be taken, as well as referrals or guidance to other relevant services.