As part of the ‘16 Days of Activism Against Domestic Violence’ initiative to raise more awareness on the needs of those who experience this type of violence, Dr Lydia Abela paid a visit to the University of Malta Msida campus on Wednesday 9 December 2020, where she met UM Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella and presented a donation of €20,000 for the University to conduct new research on domestic violence.
This research, which will be led by the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, will focus on the perpetrators of domestic violence, and will investigate why it is they engage in type of violence, as well as the services currently offered to them.
Prof. Andrew Azzopardi, Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, said this study does not only recognise the magnitude of the issue of domestic violence, but it also is another step towards trying to eradicate the problem by doing something meaningful about it.
Newspoint asked Prof. Azzopardi to further explain the significance of such a study:
The study is aiming to be completed by the end of next year.
Pro-Rector for Students and Student Affairs, Prof. Carmen Sammut said that as the institution that trains tomorrow’s lawyers, social workers and various other professionals who deal with the effects of domestic violence on a daily basis, it is the University’s duty to lead such research. “Part of the reason we exist is to contribute to society, and this study will be doing just that whilst being of help to all the professionals, trained by us, to deal with this issue effectively”.
Quoting the adage ‘it is easier to understand molecules than men’, UM Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella said that whilst understanding why perpetrators engage in this type of violence is a difficult task, it is one which needs to be tackled for domestic violence to be effectively dealt with.
Minister for Tourism & Consumer Protection, Hon. Clayton Bartolo, was also present for the exchange of this donation, with the ministry funding this study and showing its support for this cause by lighting up a number of buildings across Malta in orange.
Dr Abela said that the findings from this research will not only shine a spotlight on the enormous toll this violence has on the health and wellbeing of so many affected by it, especially the children witnessing it, but it will also play an important role in the drafting of a national strategy tackling domestic violence.
The UM has recently taken a stand against gender-based violence and domestic violence, whilst Commissioner for Domestic Violence, Ms Audrey Friggieri, who is part of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, has recently urged the public to seek help if needed in a video call.
