Stop Violence against Women seminar

On December 6 the National Council of Women, in conjunction with Amnesty International Malta group, organised a seminar entitled "Stop Violence against Women" at the Aula Magna in Valletta.

Dolores Cristina, Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, gave the opening address. She said the new law on domestic violence is not going to reduce the amount of violence and it is important that educational campaigns to raise more awareness continue.

Professionals from different spheres were invited to share their experiences, drawing from the fields of social work, psychology and human rights. Every presentation stressed that we cannot live in a society that condones violence against women.

Anne Cachia, head of Dar Merhba Bik, explained the psychological, sociological and spiritual aids offered at the home to empower women. She also described the set-up of the home, which is another crucial factor.

Malcolm Tortell, from Appogg, Men Services, spoke on what it's like to work with the perpetrators. The unit on Men's Services strives to keep the women and children safe, while bringing the men together, showing them respect, motivating them and ultimately trying to help them realise that they have a problem.

Elaine Grech, a family therapist from Sedqa, dealt with typical violence, and the justifications always found. She explored the wider term violence as incorporating mental, emotional and psychological abuse, as well as overt aggression.

Therese Camilleri, who has an MA in Human Rights Law and Democratisation, tackled the legal and human rights perspective, drawing from CEDAW - The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, whereby states are legally bound to reduce discrimination and ensure the development and well-being of women.

Doreen Camilleri, service area leader of the DVU, which is part of Appogg, emphasised that domestic violence is a social problem, which is equally distributed across the social strata. She repeated that there is no perpetrator profile and added that neither is there one profile for the victims, since they come from all walks of life.

It is up to society to provide adequate instruments, legal, political, social and psychological, to deal with the problem in the most effective way possible. We must all work to ensure that the home is a place of safety and comfort for all.