MP underscores need for early detection of domestic violence

Labour MP George Vella yesterday asked whether guidelines would be issued to professions such as doctors on what advice they could give on how victims of domestic violence should act.

Speaking during the debate in Parliament on the Domestic Violence Bill, he also underscored the need for people such as teachers to be trained to detect the early signs of domestic violence.

Dr Vella expressed solidarity with the victims of violence and expressed his regret that this bill had taken so long to reach the House.

He augured that the mechanisms suggested in the bill would yield quick help to the people in need. He also hoped that this legislation would enable more victims of domestic violence to report their plight and seek assistance.

A relationship he said, did not give anyone the right to treat others within that relationship with a lack of dignity or respect.

A difference had to be made between aggression and violence. While not all aggression was violence, all violence was aggression. While it was positive that the bill included all forms of violence, he disagreed with the wording, "even if this is verbal" because this seemed to mitigate the verbal form of violence. No violence, or any form, could be tolerated.

Dr Vella insisted that victims should act against domestic violence as soon as it started. People who resorted to violence at home once usually continued doing so. Unfortunately, victims usually sought excuses as to why they were submitting themselves to the violence and that only made matters worse.

There had to be professionals who were capable of identifying the first signs of domestic violence, even through children's behaviour in schools. School children who witnessed domestic violence usually either fell behind in their studies, or became violent themselves. Teachers should alert social workers as soon as they suspected that something was amiss.

Situations should not be taken lightly, but at the same time, children should not be taken out of their families unless one was sure of what was taking place as this could do more harm than good. Dr Vella asked if in cases of domestic violence, particularly psychological violence, a doctor could tell the police what a patient would have told him in confidence. Was this going to be obligatory? Was there a limit of what a doctor or a priest should reveal? Where did one draw a line?

Priests and doctors should be informed on the advice they could give.

Near the end of his speech Dr Vella referred to penalties provided under this bill. He observed that the fines could result in suffering on the family, which would have already suffered enough. Instead of sending people to prison, community service should be considered for people found guilty of domestic violence, he said.

Michael Gonzi (PN) said violence, physical or psychological could never be justified.

Domestic violence was especially ugly because it was repeated and it often involved both physical and psychological violence, destroying the victim.

This bill was welcomed because it incorporated all manner of domestic violence, including threats, and it sought to punish the aggressors. This bill also sought to protect minors who were victims or witnesses of domestic violence. And a magistrate could also impose treatment orders on people accused or convicted of domestic violence.

The bill held out the possibility of reconciliation after treatment, therapy and counselling.

Importantly, the bill provided for the setting up of a commission, one of whose tasks would be to disseminate information in an effort to prevent domestic violence from occurring.

Aggressors should realise that they faced deterrents while victims should know that support existed and was being improved.

Dr Gonzi praised the Church, NGOs and agencies such as Appogg for the services they provided to families in need. Appogg recently placed particular focus on the training of professionals that came into contact with victims of domestic violence.

That the problem of domestic violence was growing was evidenced by the fact that whereas in 1980, 24 women used the services of Dar Merhba Bik, by last year that figure had risen to 106 plus children. Twenty-five women had used the home so far this year.

It was significant that a majority of these women later opted to return home, but many suffered violence again. This was the sort of problem which this legislation was seeking to address.

Dr Gonzi said he hoped this law would lead to the reunification of families, rather than division, while also protecting those who suffered repeat violence.

He suggested that the police should have a code of practice for dealing with domestic violence, especially as much stemmed from alcohol and drug abuse.

Dr Gonzi said he completely disagreed with the opposition's view that the proposed commission was not needed. The commission would focus attention on domestic violence, collect data, conduct research and coordinate activities between the various agencies. What was important, however, was that there was no overlapping between the role of this commission and the other agencies.

Dr Gonzi suggested that when aggressors were fined, a percentage of the revenue raised in this way should go for a fund to support the victims.

It was good that the magistrate could order the continuation of a case even when the victim wanted to withdraw it.

Labour MP Stefan Buontempo said one's home should be an oasis of love and security, but the victims of domestic violence often ended up seeking alternative accommodation, which they could not afford.

Domestic violence was especially serious since the family was the building block of society and the first "school" where social values were to be instilled.

Dr Buontempo thanked social workers and Appogg employees for their work among the victims of domestic violence.

After speaking on the various forms of domestic violence, Dr Buontempo said victims of domestic violence suffered at all levels, including health, housing, education and employment. It was important, he stressed, that victims sought early help, before matters deteriorated further.

Dr Buontempo said those working in shelters for battered wives were providing a sterling service, but these still remained emergency shelters.

The Department of Social Accommodation should seek to provide more assistance to those people who had to move out of the shelters so that they were not forced to return to their home - and face their aggressor - because they could not afford other housing.