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A regional centre located in Santa Lucija has just started operating as Malta’s first 24-hour hub for victims of domestic and gender-based violence. The centre is equipped to provide various support and professional assistance services by experts, members of the police force, and trained personnel in this field. 

The establishment of this first hub followed that of the Gender Based and Domestic Violence Unit within the Police Force in November 2020. This unit is made up of trained officers, along with other professionals providing services to victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence. 

This hub offers a more suitable and humane environment than the one previously located at the Floriana Depot. It operates daily with the continuous presence of the Police Force, risk assessors, and other professionals.

A second hub is also planned to open in the northern part of Malta.

Prof. Marceline Naudi, Associate Professor at the University of Malta’s Department of Gender and Sexualities, provided the training for the police officers working at the hub. She did this through a tailor-made UM study unit. 

“Those working at the hub should firstly have a good understanding of the gendered dynamics present in cases of DV and GBV - they need to be aware of the gendered stereotypes that operate to this day in our society, and the effect of these not only on the people reporting, but also on themselves as workers. In terms of skills, they need to be able to listen actively, and make sense of someone else’s experience, which might be different to their own”, Prof. Naudi told Newspoint. 

The hub provides a less intimidating and more friendly environment for women to report DV - the premises also have a play area for any accompanying children, which will also help mothers in this situation. 

“All in all, this should make reporting more accessible, with victims/survivors feeling more able and confident to report”, Prof. Naudi continued.