Over One In Five People In Malta Experienced Sexual And Physical Violence In 2022
More than one in five people aged 18 to 74 in Malta have experienced sexual or physical violence, a survey by the National Statistics Office (NSO) discovered.
The study titled Survey on Safety and Well-Being 2022 sheds light on the experiences of individuals aged 18 to 74, offering valuable insights into the challenges they face.
The report states that 22.9% of individuals experienced physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, acknowledging that women are more likely to be subject to such abuse across the board.
Let’s delve into more key findings of this survey:
Sexual Harassment at Work
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- 27.1% of females and 11.0% of males experienced sexual harassment at work.
- Staring or leering affected 12.2% of individuals, while indecent sexual jokes or remarks impacted 10.2%.
Intimate Partner Violence
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- 22.5% of individuals in intimate relationships experienced violence.
- 26% of females and 19.1% of males reported intimate partner violence.
Non-partner Violence
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- 17% of individuals experienced violence by a non-partner since age 15.
- 18.6% of males and 15.1% of females reported such experiences.
Stalking: A Common Experience
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- 20.4% of individuals experienced stalking, with higher rates among females (25.2%).
- 76.3% of stalking victims did not report to the Police.
Childhood Experiences
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- 27.7% experienced physical or emotional abuse before age 15.
- More individuals experienced abuse by father figures (23.1%) compared to mother figures (17.9%).
Knowledge of Services and Perceptions
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- 73.6% knew of the national helpline 179, while 53.1% were aware of non-residential support services.
- 80.1% believe intimate partner violence against females is common, while 42.9% perceive the same for males.
The survey findings underscore the prevalence of violence and harassment across various spheres of life, underlining the gender disparities that persist, with females often experiencing higher rates of abuse.
Understanding these findings is crucial for policymakers and communities to develop targeted interventions and support systems, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals.
The Survey on Safety and Well-Being was implemented nationally based on the EU-Gender-Based Violence Survey (EU-GBV) which was a Eurostat-funded research initiative conducted by EU Member States to assess the prevalence and characteristics of gender-based violence (GBV) across the European Union (EU). The survey aims to provide comparable data on various forms of violence.
Do you think these statistics reflect our society?