Stop Violence against Women

After the recent tragic events in our country, I feel compelled to raise my voice clearly and firmly against violence. Furthermore, although I strive to remain balanced and objective in my reflections, I cannot silence my profound sense of appeal and sorrow. I stand in solidarity with organizations supporting victims, urging our society to act decisively and bring an end to this mindless abuse.

Support Services for Women: Therapy, Empowerment and Ending Violence

Following the recent horrific murder in our country, I felt compelled to revisit established literature on domestic violence. Previously, my professional work with children directed much of my academic focus away from this specific and deeply complex field. Consequently, I engaged more deliberately with research exploring patterns of coercion, control, repeated victimization, and the intergenerational impact of abuse. Disturbingly, the evidence continues to demonstrate how violence often escalates gradually, becoming normalized through fear, psychological manipulation, and social silence. Ultimately, the depth, consistency, and long-standing nature of these findings remain as astounding to me today as they were many years ago.

Support Services for Women: Empowering Therapy

The statistics surrounding domestic violence remain profoundly alarming and demand urgent national and international attention from policymakers and communities alike. Moreover, several reputable sources estimate that one in every three or four women will experience some form of abuse during their lifetime. Importantly, such abuse extends far beyond physical harm, encompassing emotional manipulation, psychological intimidation, financial control, and coercive behaviors. Furthermore, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, twenty individuals endure intimate partner violence every single minute worldwide.

Facing the Reality of Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence is a serious crime that mainly affects women, with most victims being female. In these abusive relationships, one partner gradually takes control through violence, intimidation, threats, and coercion. The perpetrator may use physical harm, emotional manipulation, or psychological pressure to weaken the victim and maintain dominance. Over time, this repeated behavior creates fear and dependency, making it increasingly difficult for the victim to leave. This situation is very different from ordinary couple arguments, even when both partners become angry and act aggressively in the heat of the moment.

Support Services for Women: Restoring Safety

Within a domestic violence context, the dominant partner deliberately assumes total control, leaving the victim feeling persistently helpless and deeply terrified. Consequently, the victim often experiences ongoing humiliation, chronic fear, and a gradual yet profound erosion of personal autonomy and self-worth. Understandably, many outsiders struggle to comprehend why the victim does not simply leave the relationship at the earliest opportunity. However, such assumptions overlook the calculated psychological control, credible threats, and financial constraints that severely restrict the victim’s perceived and actual choices. Therefore, before passing judgement, we must recognize how fear, dependency, coercion, and isolation systematically entrap individuals within abusive and dangerous relational dynamics.

Violence, Vulnerability and the Urgent Need for Change

Morality is not the central issue here, as retaliation often feels impossible when victims cannot access any internal sense of power, safety, or support to resist or escape. Furthermore, they frequently find themselves psychologically paralyzed, overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, and unable to take decisive action despite fully recognizing the escalating danger surrounding their daily lives. Critically, we must acknowledge that the threat to victims is both real and immediate, as women are significantly more likely to be murdered in the weeks immediately following their decision to leave abusive partners.

Addressing Abuse Within Our Communities

Some readers may question whether these statistics truly reflect Malta’s social and cultural reality. However, through my professional experience, I have seen many cases of stalking, coercive control, and ongoing psychological abuse. I have also encountered parent alienation, financial abuse, social isolation, and public humiliation that leave victims feeling deeply distressed and alone. Sadly, these behaviors happen far more often than many people are willing to admit within our communities. Because this abuse usually takes place behind closed doors, it rarely receives the same public attention as fatal incidents.

Final Thoughts

To finish off, violence must stop, and no circumstance or conflict ever grants anyone the right to harm a partner. Moreover, victims should recognize that trained and dedicated professionals stand ready to provide protection and structured guidance towards safety. We sincerely commend all police officers and medical teams who work collaboratively and tirelessly to prevent and end domestic abuse.

Support Services for Women: Written by Steve Libreri