‘He Hit Me So Hard, I Fell’: Maltese Minister Reveals How She Became A Victim Of Domestic Abuse
Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli has opened up about being in two abusive relationships – one of which eventually led to her seeking medical help.
“One time, the guy I was dating in Sixth Form hit me so hard that I got dizzy and fell to the ground,” Farrugia Portelli recounted.
This story comes in light of a recent national tragedy that saw a 40-year-old mother, Bernice Cassar brutally shot by her alleged murderer – her husband Roderick Cassar.
As a response to the collective despair that all of Malta is currently feeling, Farrugia Portelli decided to share her story in order to give other people courage and show them that they are not alone.
Her first encounter with domestic violence occurred with a boyfriend she was with during Sixth Form.
“After he hit me, we had to go to a doctor and he came with me. We went to a pharmacy and the doctor was sharp enough to ask ‘are you sure you were hit because you broke up a fight between two people? Are sure this is not an instance of domestic violence? I am obliged to report if that is the case,’ she explained.
“That doctor was Deo Debattista. Sharp as always. But that day, my mind was clouded – I didn’t have the courage to say what was going on.”
Meanwhile, her second trauma happened around 16 years ago during a different “toxic relationship”. Farrugia Portelli’s ex-partner couldn’t accept the fact that they had broken up and he continued to harass her months after.
“Months later, I left work, started the car and found him stuck to the car window. Terror is hard to explain.”
“That day, while still physically fragile, I found the courage to go to the police station and file a report on a sequence of things that happened.”
While at the station, the police woman who heard her case admitted that it was difficult to manage. However, Farrugia Portelli reminded her that these cases are ex officio and her court journey began.
“Whoever has gone through a case of domestic violence like we heard of yesterday has relived a trauma. Between yesterday and today, many people, including public persons, wrote to me or called me because they’ve also experienced similar painful moments.”
“I wish courage for those who have gone or are going through similar situations.”
If you have ever been a survivor of domestic violence or a victim of our terribly slow judicial system and you want to share your story, reach out to [email protected]
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