Yesterday, the Department of Child and Family Studies at the University of Malta launched their survey “Safety in Childhood: A prevalence survey on childhood experiences of abuse” at the Valletta Campus. This research is made possible with the collaboration of the Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic violence.
The aim of the study is to obtain a robust estimate of the prevalence of children living in families where there is domestic violence, where children witness violence along with child physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect (child maltreatment) within the Maltese population. This study will set the ground for the consolidation and further development of a range of services to address these needs. More importantly, it will also provide the tools to policy makers to invest in a national comprehensive domestic violence prevention plan.
The research will measure the prevalence of child witnessing and maltreatment in Malta in a way that is comparable to other national prevalence studies conducted locally and internationally. Insights about the risk and protective factors associated with children living in violence and child maltreatment will also emerge from this study.
Dr Clarissa Sammut Scerri, is leading this project in collaboration with Dr Ingrid Grech Lanfranco, Ms Lara Pace and Ms Maria Borg.The research team intends to recruit a representative sample of of 385 youth (aged between 18-24) and ask them about their past experiences of abuse. The data will be collected through a combination of face to face, telephone and online interviews (online) .” The data collection will be conducted by
Ms Audrey Friggieri, Commissioner on Gender- based violence and Domestic violence who gave a welcome address emphasised how important it is that in Malta we have data on children living in families where there is domestic violence. Domestic violence has a huge impact on children’s and youth’s physical, social and mental health and children’s and youth’s academic abilities. The Commissioner is also happy with the collaboration with the Faculty for Social Wellbeing.
Prof Andrew Azzopardi, the Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing wholeheartedly supported this research project and the opportunity to research on social issues that exist in our community. He stated that the forthcoming data will allow us to communicate with the policy makers and to make a change. He emphasised how “Domestic violence and any form of abuse is a very urgent matter and we have to act now.”
The Pro-Rector for Student & Staff Affairs and Outreach, Prof Carmen Sammut who closed the event expressed her support to the research team within the Department of Child and Family Studies and for the fact that the University is working with such stakeholders , like the Commission on Gender -based violence and domestic violence, who are willing to effect change in society. She also stated that she is looking forward to the results and what they might imply for youth aged 18 - 24 years old who are also in the age bracket of students who attend University.
Young people in the age bracket 18 - 24 years old who are willing to participate and give the research team a helping hand, are invited to click follow this . As a thank you for participating, respondents will have the opportunity to win one of three cash prizes of 150 euros each.
