After a staggering 587 cases of physical child abuse were reported in 2021 alone, the shocking figure prompted the University of Malta to analyse the complexities of the issue.

The previous study, which was conducted by the University of Malta’s Faculty for Social Wellbeing, eventually led to the University to analyse the prevalent issue and its effects on Maltese society through the lens of empirical data conducted by the same faculty. 

Titled ‘Protecting our Children: Exploring and Preventing Child Abuse’, this newly-conducted research project was led by Roberta Attard, Head of the Department of Counselling within the Faculty for Social Wellbeing with the management of Dean, Andrew Azzopardi.

Meanwhile, Graziella Vella and Olga Formosa, assisted as Research Support Officers, with the study being generously sponsored by Bank of Valletta.

Findings were presented on 18th October 2023 at the University of Malta Main Campus in Msida in the presence of the University Rector, the Bank of Valletta Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and other industry stakeholders.

The main objectives of the study were firstly, to explore how convicted child abusers are rehabilitated, if at all, and what treatment they are given, secondly to identify the average length of the process through which underage children are removed from an abusive situation, and thirdly, to explore actions to be taken to keep children safe online and examine the nature of the online experience for children.

It sought to ultimately provide policy action recommendations on the issues and concerns that emerge from the findings.

These objectives were attained through a number of methods, namely a literature review that detailed the issues and dangers related to child abuse and around 10 to 15 one-to-one interviews with social workers and therapists who have worked with perpetrators on a first-hand basis.

A number of focus groups with adults who have experienced child abuse in their childhood in order to map the progression of the abuse, an anonymous online questionnaire that was sent through the schools, a focus group with children who are part of entities such as the Commissioner for Children, Scouts, and the Malta Trust Foundations, and focus groups with experts in the field.

All the data gathered was then analysed with the help of experts and NGOs in order to formulate and provide the recommendations for policy and practice.

Talking about the relevance of this particular research project, Roberta Attard told Newspoint that “the maltreatment of children is a global risk factor for mental health. The belief that child maltreatment only occurs within low-income family units is mistaken, and this study emphasises that child abuse unfortunately transcends social class.”

“It also stresses on the fact that despite there being services available for help with these cases, the victims do not always manage to request such help, or they do so many years after the abuse would’ve started.”

Andrew Azzopardi, who was the Project Manager for this study and who also formed part of the Technical Advisory Committee, said “the overarching goal of such a study was to bring out more of the correlations of child abuse to other factors such as satisfaction with life, financial security and so on.”

“We are challenging commonly-held assumptions and making useful recommendations for policymakers to be more assertive in proposing strategies that ultimately enforce children’s rights,” he continued. 

Bank of Valletta Chairman, Dr Gordon Cordina and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kenneth Farrugia expressed their satisfaction on the positive impact that such research will leave on Society at large. “Bank of Valletta is a major supporter of society’s well-being, and takes pride in associating itself with such initiatives as part of our ESG commitments.”

“We would like to commend the work conducted by the Faculty and its Researchers, and we hope that the findings and conclusions of this study will eventually lead to better handling of the challenges posed by any form of abuse. It is our duty to safeguard our younger generations in the hope to generate a better future for generations to come.”

University of Malta Rector, Alfred J. Vella concluded by saying the University is civic in its effort to educate and conduct research that is rooted in local issues, or what he called context-based research. He thanked BOV, whose support validates the relevance of this project and reiterated how essential to the motivation of researchers is such financial assistance.

More information about this research project, as well as its findings, are available online.

What do you make of this recent study?